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. These individuals created a direct impact on their life. Garca and Ocampo remain in custody. 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. Thus, the Church of Light assured that based on the motion submitted it is clear that his constitutional rights have been unjustly violated, putting this as the main reason why he should be released. Near the end of the call, Joaqun Garca asked his followers to raise their hands and their voices to God and repeat after him: "I promise you, Lord, that whatever the suffering, I will never abandon you.". Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury in June. Yet for now, if you simply wish to learn more about those personally near the incumbent Apostle throughout these years his wife and his children weve got the necessary details for you. The release of the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church on that date will be conditional on his good behavior. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. [3] [4] [5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. [6] On June 8 2022 he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. [7] Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. SACRAMENTO California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest and filing of charges against Naasn Joaqun Garca (Joaqun Garca) and his co 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 lawsuit also includes Garcia's accomplices and facilitators, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Oaxaca, two members of La Luz del Mundo who were also sentenced to prison for helping them abuse the victims. All three individuals are associated with La Luz del Mundo. 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 He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors and extortion. Susana Medina Oaxaca appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, June 21, 2019. The family has already kept silent for a very long time. The case was prosecuted by the California Department of Justices Special Prosecutions Section with assistance from the Appeals, Writs, and Trials Section. 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. Its unclear whether the latters work involves him marketing a team or sponsoring them, but we do know he appears perfectly content at the moment. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. 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. On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. The grandson of the churchs 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 count of committing a lewd act on a child in exchange for a reduced sentence of 17 years behind bars. Ocampo pleaded guilty to three felony counts of contact with a minor for the purposes of committing a sexual offense and one count of forcible sexual penetration two years ago. The investigation began in 2018, in part, because of information submitted to the California Department of Justice through the clergy abuse online complaint form. The family has already decided not to say anything about that individual, as they have stated that certain important things need to be discussed. 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. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, (RELATED: Pastor Who Admitted To 1998 Sexual Assault Will Not Face Charges), (RELATED: DOJ Opens Investigation Into Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse). Oaxaca pleaded guilty to assault charges resulting in bodily harm, while Ocampo pleaded guilty in 2020 and still awaits sentencing. HBOs Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo explores the story of alleged sexual abuse, many relating to minors, within a Mexico-based Christian megachurch called La Luz del Mundo (LLDM). His continued hold on his flock was evident recently at the Christian church's main temple in Guadalajara, as thousands gathered to pray for their absent leader during their Holy Supper, the most sacred festivity for La Luz del Mundo. 2023-01-18T21:41:01.084Z, A 115-year-old Spaniard could be the new oldest of humanity 2023-01-18T22:22:45.283Z, TikTok, banned from government devices in more than half of US states. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov, State of California Department of Justice, Consumer Protection and Economic Opportunity, California Justice Information Services (CJIS), Attorney General Bonta Secures Conviction Against Megachurch. 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. Are You Taking It? On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. Considering the evidence set forth in the motion filed, it is clear that his rights have been unjustly violated and all charges against the Apostle should be dismissed, and he should be 2023-01-18T22:22:50.746Z, Netflix presents a very varied and especially humorous cinematographic menu for 2023 2023-01-18T23:17:02.633Z, With a reflection, Isabel Macedo responded to those who questioned her daughter's body After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's 2023-01-18T23:10:41.702Z, Authorities record record number of firearms seized at US airports during 2022 (RELATED: DOJ Opens Investigation Into Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse). 2023-01-18T22:58:40.446Z, What is Cordyceps and what actually causes the fungus mentioned in "The Last of Us"? 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. 2023-01-18T22:10:45.162Z, "It does not rhyme": Michel Sardou not convinced by a song written by ChatGPT They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". I am incredibly grateful to our team at the California Department of Justice for their dedication to securing justice and fighting abuse on behalf of the people of California. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. Garcas grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church known by its English name, The Light of the World in 1926. Naasn Joaqun Garca, 53, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, had vigorously fought charges that included child rape, until abruptly accepting a plea deal on the eve of trial. Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership of more than 1 million appeared for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 15, 2019. Furthermore, Susana and Alondra pled guilty to the charges against them. A copy of the complaint is available here. La Luz del Mundo is a church that originated in If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Flores was also the subject of child sex abuse allegations in 1997, but authorities in Mexico never filed criminal charges. 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 in a statement to CBS News at the time. To gasps of surprise, Joaqun Garca addressed the congregation by telephone from his Los Angeles prison, where he is serving a 16-year sentence. As a result of todays guilty plea, Garca has been convicted of two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants allegedly committed these crimes between 2015 and 2018 while leading La Luz Del Mundo, an international religious organization headquartered in Mexico with reportedly over one million followers worldwide. Sentencing is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 8 at 8:30 a.m. Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP via Getty Images), Multiple witnesses came forward during in investigation launched in 2018 by the California Department of Justices Special Prosecutions Section. There are about 1 million U.S. members. She would target girls and bring them into his inner fold. Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. "We all suffer something in life, but one learns to know those moments where you see that God is doing something to help you, to get ahead, not to let you fall.". They started to move away from the official places where the media could cover them. The church has tried to cultivate a law-abiding, hard-working image in Mexico where it counts about 1.8 million followers. Find In Detail, A Murder Charge has been Filed Against the Husband of Missing Cohasset Woman Ana Walshe, Who is McClaude Bridges: Suspect who assaulted Ariana Simms is identified as a 66 year Old Man. 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. 2023-01-18T22:34:34.710Z, Sex scandal in the police: a married policewoman had sex with policemen and they were all fired - voila! Coming to his two sisters, Elda and Simba, aside from the fact the latter has ostensibly been married since 2013, we, unfortunately, do not know much about them in any manner. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. Naasn Joaqun Garca may be released in December 2032. The latter was the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church (translated to Church of the Living God), a non-trinitarian Christian organization founded in 1926. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. A Teen Murder Victim's Horrific Diary Entry Helped Police Find Her Killer, Kai The Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker Was Arrested Months After His Viral Interview, Netflix's Latest True-Crime Docuseries Dives Into A $65 Billion Ponzi Scheme, 'The Last Of Us' Star Bella Ramsey Almost Didnt Take The Role Of Ellie, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. 2023-01-18T22:10:55.924Z, General Motors introduces the first fast-accelerating electric Corvette His false impact has directly got upon two his wife and especially on his kids as they have got a very bad image of their father, which has affected them to a great extent. Naason Joaquin Garcia was arrested in L.A. this past summer and charged with child sexual abuse and human trafficking. 2023-01-19T00:04:36.145Z, Who is Keityn, the co-author of the lyrics of Shakira and Bizarrap's hit 2023-01-18T21:40:55.584Z, Lautaro Martnez, champion again a month from the World Cup: great goal and title with Inter in the Italian Super Cup Todos Los Derechos Reservados 2021 Infobae, Lawyers of the leader of the Light of the World threatened witnesses from the United States and Mexico, I saw a criminal: Naasn Joaqun's assistant told how he lived 30 years with the former leader of La Luz del Mundo, There is already a date for the trial against Naasn Joaqun Garcia: The Light of the World awaits justice for the Apostle of Jesus Christ. 2023-01-18T23:16:40.793Z, The day Cristina explained why Nisman had been murdered However, the five complainants, addressed as Jane Does in the court, were unhappy with the minimal sentences their aggressors received. The revival consists of repeating "Glory to Christ" nonstop until the youths are heard speaking in tongues to testify that the Holy Spirit has entered them. 2023-01-18T23:22:35.481Z, By 2100 the sea level could rise up to 50 centimeters, according to a study "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Read Also Joseph Pikul, Murderer of Diane Pikul Now? Jericho, Bethlehem and Nazareth are among the names of roads converging on the white temple that locals call "the cake," for its white tiers that diminish in size as they rise upward. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org. 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