Naasn Joaqun Garca in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time in prison. Yet legions of followers ofNaasn Joaqun Garcain his home base in Mexico remain fervently loyal to him, viewing his imprisonment as a challenge that will strengthen their church, La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World), rather than weaken it. Claudia Eunice Hernandez, a former member of the church who is in her early 30s and lives in Mexico City, said Garcias arrest in 2019 led some people to leave the church. With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. Naasn Joaqun Garca may be released in December 2032 Aug. 21, 202200:24 La Luz del Mundo is a church that originated in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the 1950s and now has a presence in dozens of countries, including the United States. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Sochil Martin, a former La Luz del Mundo member who has filed a civil RICO suit against Garcaand LLDM alleging sexual abuse and other crimes, was highly critical of the plea deal, and compared the church to a mafia-type organization that would continue to operate despite Garcas imprisonment. A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. The other individuals named in the complaint are Alondra Ocampo, Azalea Rangel Melendez, and Susana Medina Oaxaca, all of whom are affiliated with La Luz Del Mundo. Some knelt and wept. Posted on 26 Feb in greenshield pharmacy intervention codes. The grandson of the church's founder, Garca maintained his innocence following his arrest but eventually pleaded guilty in June 2022 to two counts of forcible oral copulation on a minor and one. Damian Dovarganes / AP The. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. International Director of the La Luz del Mundo Church, "Naasn Merar Joaqun Garca: El "apstol" del poder", "Es Naasn Joaqun Garca, nuevo lder de La Luz del Mundo", "La Luz del Mundo Church Leader Accused of Sex Crimes", "Leader of La Luz Del Mundo religious group arrested on suspicion of rape, child porn", "Sex abuse charges against La Luz del Mundo leader are the 'tip of the iceberg,' prosecutors say", "La Luz del Mundo church leader pleads guilty to sex abuse charges", "Mexican megachurch leader gets more than 16 years for abuse", "Child rape charges refiled against Mexican megachurch leader", https://www.paudal.com/2022/08/18/the-light-of-the-world-naason-joaquin-is-changed-from-jail-for-this-reason/, "Leader of Mexican Church Is Sentenced to 16 Years for Sex Crimes", "Naasn Joaqun Garca: quin es lder de La Luz del Mundo (biografa)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naasn_Joaqun_Garca&oldid=1135821281. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's been held without . They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. While he initially did not enter a plea, he was held at a shocking $50 million bail, generating massive outrage among his followers against the legal authorities. Both father and son have been accused of using the churchs young members as sexual servants, of leading lavish lifestyles on the backs of their followers and of intimidating church members into silence and submission. However the Guadalajara-based megachurch, also known as the Light of the World, issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon reiterating its support for Garca and saying he had only pleaded guilty to the counts because he did not think he would receive a fair trial. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. Its always somebody elses fault.. He called Garca a sexual predator. Had it proceeded, the trial might have offered a rare glimpse into the insular world of La Luz del Mundo Light of the World which boasts more than 5 million members. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. In other new developments in the pre-trial hearings this week, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, citing insufficient evidence, dismissed four counts of extortion and two counts of forcible rape of a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor against Garcia, a move that was declared a victory by the Apostles supporters. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. At the California Department of Justice, we will do everything we can to prevent and combat these heinous crimes so that our communities are safe. Just days before his long-awaited trial was set to start, La Luz del Mundo leader Naason Joaquin Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing girls from his congregation, a stunning reversal for a man who followers believe is an apostle appointed by God. Their spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. The decision by Ocampo followed weeks of testimony by California state agents about her role in delivering young women to Garcia for sexually deviant acts, many of which she recorded on video for him. However, this might merely pertain to his father rather than his wife or kids since neither of them has ever been indicted on such offenses. June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. SACRAMENTO California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest and filing of charges against Naasn Joaqun Garca (Joaqun Garca) and his co-defendants for alleged human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. Naasn Joaqun Garcia -- the leader of La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World) -- was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty Friday to two counts of forcible oral. Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. Authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, Azalea Rangel Melendez. "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter.". Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. Shame on you!". Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. [2], He continues to be named as Legal Representative of the church in Mexico in spite of having been convicted of child sex crimes. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." This is not an organized religion, this is an organized institution of criminal activities thats been running for 96 years. Efforts to fight human trafficking have also included taking on labor exploitation. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. I wouldnt doubt that theyll continue with the same logic, because weve already seen it, she said, pointing to sexual abuse allegations that Garcias father and grandfather, both of whom led the church, also faced. Despite the vast publicity and lurid charges, Garcia had maintained almost universal support within the church. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are shocked by the facts in the recent motion filed by defense attorney Alan Jackson on March 15 in the case regarding the Apostle of Jesus . The church's doctrine is learned from the cradle. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. The lawsuit includes detailed accounts from the five plaintiffs alleging that they were pressured by Joaqun Garca and his associates into performing for pornographic photo shoots, and were forced to engage in sex acts with him. He is the fifth of eight children and during much . March 21, 2022 17:02 ET | Source: The Light of the World. Like other women in Hermosa Provincia, she wears dresses and skirts that are not form-fitting, eschews makeup and earrings and wears her hair long. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. Alma was seemingly always well respected but just not as popular, especially considering her position and the fact theres little to absolutely no information available on her on any public platform. "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! Powered by WordPress.com VIP. "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". She was provided by Mrs Ocampo, provided whipped cream, strawberries, lingerie, and the other girl would spray the whipped cream and strawberries on each other and then lick them off, said Special Agent Troy Holmes in court. She was accused of grooming teenage girls for Garcias sexual pleasure. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. Originally facing 36 charges, Garcia at the last minute took a plea deal that called for him to admit to three counts, the state attorney generals office announced Friday: two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. Emailus. This included allegations of human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. It accuses Joaqun Garca of conditioning victims, under the guise of religion, to serve him above all else, ultimately resulting in the sexual abuse over the course of several years. Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of the La Luz del Mundo, Spanish for The Light of the World, appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court, on June 5, 2019. This, as explained at the time by the prosecutor in charge of the case, because there was a suspicion that his followers would seek to pay the fine. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. One of the perpetrators was Naasn Joaqun Garcia, the third leader of the organization, who was accused of sexually abusing and even trafficking countless young children over many years. God has his plan.. In California alone it has about 50 locations. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. However, his wife Alma Zamora de Joaqun, with whom hed tied the knot in 1992, reportedly does not enjoy the same status in any of the 50+ countries wherein the church has a presence. ", They spoke of how they had been manipulated and told they would be damned if they refused. Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, pleaded guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act on a child who was 15. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. Many believe he was sent by God to preach to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea. Currently, journalists are not allowed to attend services or take photographs inside the church's temples. They also alleged the church was involved in a lengthy cover-up of the sexual misconduct. ", In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bonda said: "While it will never undo the harm and trauma he caused as the leader of La Luz del Mundo, this sentence makes it crystal clear that abusersno matter who they arewill be held accountable. As per court documents, the complainants alleged he sexually abused one woman and three minors, also raping the woman and another child. While he initially did not enter a plea, he was held at a shocking $50 million bail, generating massive outrage among his followers against the legal authorities. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Azalea Rangel Melendez, who is currently at large. The KCAL News Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on KCALNews.com and CBSLA.com. People who molest children, this is the kind of mentality they have. Ocampo has been held in custody for more than a year since her arrest with Garcia on his private jet at the Los Angeles airport by California law enforcement. Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. It is unclear what his guilty admission will mean for the megachurch with international reach, and whether it will force the kind of larger reckoning over abuse and decades-long cover-ups that has swept the Catholic Church. Parents give biblical names to their children and take them to the temple at 40 days old to promise they will guide them to follow their path. Most teachings translate into something quotidian. list of benue state deputy governors list of benue state deputy governors When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. As a documentary series that lives up to its title in every way imaginable, HBOs Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo can only be described as equal parts gripping, riveting, as well as haunting. OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced securing a guilty plea and conviction against Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, for multiple felony counts of sexual assault involving three separate minors. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The leader of a Mexico-based evangelical megachurch is due in a Los Angeles courtroom today to face sentencing following a deal with prosecutors last week in which he agreed to plead guilty to three sex counts involving minors. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. After La Luz Del Mundo megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years and 8 months in prison, the Law&Crime Network's Brian Ross. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. [9] He will soon face a civil trial for such crimes as human trafficking and forced labor. [3][4][5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. It seems clear that many members of the church, founded in Mexico in 1926 and now active in many countries, aren't ready to abandon Joaqun Garca as their "apostle" - the term used for the church's leader. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Best coffee city in the world? Martin, a former church member, told the Law&Crime Network how she was then coerced into helping to recruit other young women and participated in the taping of lurid sex scenes involving the teens and Garcia. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. There are apparently video clips of them engaging in such atrocious acts, some of which even go as far as to include extreme incest. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. While Naasn maintained he was innocent for several months as he awaited his trial, in a shocking turn of events, he accepted a plea deal just three days before his trial commenced in June 2022. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. "All this goes to show that although you are part of this world, you have accepted a very particular way of life because you are Christian," Snchez-Walsh said. Nearly all closed their eyes. 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