"I worshipped my abuser," said a woman who described herself as his niece. She said she expects more will decide to leave because of the guilty plea. In the criminal complaint filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the California Department of Justice alleges Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants committed 26 felonies in Southern California over a period of approximately four years. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He called Garca a sexual predator. Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. 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. Emailus. "The Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family," the church said. 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. As for their professional standing, while Alma allegedly serves as a social worker, Adoram has been linked to the Mexican soccer promotional league. Naasn Joaqun Garca in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8. Garcia coerced victims into performing sexual acts by telling them that if they went against any of his desires or wishes as the Apostle, that they were going against God, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said at the time of the arrest. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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. Because his religious registry is against Mexican Law now that he has been sentenced, there is currently a petition to remove his name from both The Light of The World church (iglesia La Luz del Mundo) and the Levitical Fraternity (Fraternidad Levtico) in that country. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. The news of the impending plea deal garnered a mixed reaction from a Reddit group that has become a refuge for former church members, some of whom have said they were abused. First published on June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM. Im sure hell survive but I doubt it will be happy. 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. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. 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. In pre-trial testimony California state agents said the young victims in the case known as Jane Does 1-5 , described Ocampos role as a handmaiden, women who were groomed and were sexually abused themselves before doing the same to other young women in the church. Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. His plea deal came after five young womenonce devoted followers of the church founded by Garca's grandfather in Mexico nearly a century agotestified that he had made them his sex slaves. There are apparently video clips of them engaging in such atrocious acts, some of which even go as far as to include extreme incest. This is a man who has committed atrocities in the name of God, in the name of this church and everything is an excuse. Most teachings translate into something quotidian. The church was founded in 1926 by Garcias grandfather, who was succeeded by Garcias father, Samuel Joaquin Flores. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. Joaqun Garca's prison sentence in June came after nearly three hours of emotional statements by five young women he was charged with sexually abusing. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. A lot of people have the expectation that once there was a guilty verdict, whether it be through trial, whether it be through pleading guilty, that loved ones and family members would wake up to the truth. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Spanning the main street is a sculpture spelling "innocent" in Spanish. It should be recalled that just on March 15, a 211-page motion was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court by defense attorney Alan Jackson, claiming that the California Prosecutor's Office fabricated incriminating evidence, created reports based on false evidence, erased and concealed exculpatory evidence.. Born in Argentina but raised in Los Angeles, Miller is a graduate of Oberlin College and Columbia Universitys School of Journalism. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. A trial date has been set for Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of the Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo who is facing a number of sex abuse charges. They also alleged the church was involved in a lengthy cover-up of the sexual misconduct. And theyre going to keep running with this as long as they possibly can until somebody puts a stop to it.. But criminal attorney Fred Thiagarajah,who at various points was involved on both sides of the case, noted the reality waiting for Garcain prison will likely be a stark awakening for the self-described Apostle, if not his followers. The California attorney generals office, which is handling the case, also had accused Garcia of coercing underlings to recruit young girls for him to sexually abuse. LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are shocked by the facts in the recent motion filed by defense attorney Alan Jackson on . Aarn's wife was the church's first member. Another poster wrote, In light of this disturbing news, we are calling on ALL the victims who are still out there who have been abused by this sick monster to please come forward., We know there are many, many out there. Naasn Joaqun Garcia, 53, faces more than 16 years in state prison and . We will hold you accountable if you break the law, Atty. We reiterate that his procedural and constitutional rights must remain in force, such as the presumption of innocence and the right to due process, as well as the right to be judged impartially and without bias. the spokesman said. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. 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. He was sentenced to more than 16 years after making a plea deal. "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! "I do not see the bars that separate me from you," he told his followers. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. Many believe he was sent by God to preach to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea. / KCAL News. Said parishioner Robert Pelegreen at the time: When David was going to fight Goliath, it looked like he was going to lose. Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov, State of California Department of Justice, Consumer Protection and Economic Opportunity, California Justice Information Services (CJIS), helped bring downthe worlds largest online brothel, push for the passage of the federal Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, Attorney General Becerra Announces Arrest of Naasn Joaqu. 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. Joaquin Garca is described as serious, fearsome and strong-willed by those who know him, but there is little public information about him before his rise to power. . Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants allegedly coerced victims into performing sexual acts by telling them that if they went against any of his desires or wishes as the Apostle, that they were going against God. 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. "SHAME, SHAME ON YOU!": California judge scolds families for abandoning sexual abuse survivors before sentencing self-declared "apostle" Naasn Joaqun Garc. 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. Her attorney previously told The Times that Ocampo herself suffered years of sexual abuse in the church when she was a minor. If you believe you have been a victim of sexual abuse or have information about incidents of sexual misconduct related to anyone who may be involved in this case, please call (323) 765-2100 or you can file a complaint online at https://oag.ca.gov/LLDM. Have a tip we should know? Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. Authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, Azalea Rangel Melendez. In a major set back for the defense of Nasson Joaquin Garcia, his co-defendant, Alondra Ocampo, has pleaded guilty to four felony counts involving the sexual abuse of minors and is now prepared to testify against him at trial in California. Despite the vast publicity and lurid charges, Garcia had maintained almost universal support within the church. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. Posted on 26 Feb in greenshield pharmacy intervention codes. 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. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". [8], He was transferred to North Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the prison system. Just on March 21, the Church of the Light of the World demanded Nahson's immediate release, after his defense filed a motion claiming that the California Prosecutor's Office conducted incriminating evidence against him. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? 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. Efforts to fight human trafficking have also included taking on labor exploitation. It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. They dont doubt that the servant of God is lying to them or that hes committing a crime against them. Martin, who left the church years earlier, said in an interview with Brian Ross Investigates. Garcia has been in jail for nearly three years awaiting trial, since state prosecutors charged him with abusing girls who belonged to his Mexico-based megachurch. But still just purely drinking from that information trough only from the Church. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. Kellermeyer said his wife who earlier pled guilty was preparing to be the star witness at Garcas trial and was disappointed not to have the opportunity to testifyhaving hoped to reach dedicated church members, like her own parents, still in the church who refuse to believe that Garca is guilty. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. From what we can tell, every member of the Joaqun family prefers to stay well away from the limelight these days, yet they do likely divide their time between their homeland of Guadalajara and their last known base of California. [9] He will soon face a civil trial for such crimes as human trafficking and forced labor. Period, said Attorney General Becerra. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. [emailprotected]. Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. 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. They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. Defendants facing state criminal allegations are eligible for bail in most cases, allowing them to await future court dates out of police custody if they have the financial resources to post bail. Faithful attend a Santa Cena or Holy Supper service in the La Luz del Mundo or the Light of the World flagship temple in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. Moreover, if they denied or hesitated, they were blackmailed by being told how they were defying Gods will. Yet, despite the charges against Naasn, his followers and the La Luz del Mundo continued supporting him and believing his claims of innocence. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. 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. As a result, he pled guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. Todays decision demonstrates, as we have always said, that the Apostle is innocent and his innocence will be judicially proven through the course of the trial a Church spokesperson said in a written statement to Brian Ross Investigates. 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. "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. But she also thinks many church members including her 85-year-old grandmother will continue to believe in Garcias innocence. With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. #BREAKING: As the result of a multiyear investigation and prosecution led by CalDOJ, megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca has pled guilty to multiple felony counts of sexual assault involving minors. Nearly all closed their eyes. Ocampo requested that Jane Doe number one send her nude photos of herself because the servant of god who is defendant Garcia, would be really happy, said special agent Thomas Donohue in court. 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. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." 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"The Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family," it continued, adding that he had wanted to spare the church and his family "weeks of unfounded public accusations" and threats. The state of California refiled charges against Megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca last week for child rape and human trafficking. Some knelt and wept. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 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 . A California appeals court ordered the . "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". Libor Jany covers the Los Angeles Police Department. Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. [12]. She was also part of the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of the Conception boat fire off the Channel Islands. https://t.co/nTcxEFtidU. 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. Flores died in 2014 and passed the mantle of apostle on to Garcia. "The apostle always shows determination to move forward," said Phares Ruiz, who traveled from El Salvador to attend the Holy Supper. LOS ANGELES (RNS) Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, is facing a new lawsuit filed by five women who allege he sexually abused them while other church members groomed them and used the religion as ammunition against them. For some young people, these steps include memorizing songs honoring the apostle, reading the Bible before bed and not marrying someone from outside the church. They allegedly were told that if they went against Garcias desires they were going against God. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He initially faced more than 20 charges, but most were dismissed after a plea deal with prosecutors. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. A megachurch has defended its leader after he was sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing girls in his congregation. naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. 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