Apart from Naasn, his mother, wife, brother, and children were named in the lawsuit for being aware of the abuse. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? The religion is "very demanding," said Arlene M. Snchez-Walsh, a professor of religious studies at Azusa Pacific University, a Christian institution near Los Angeles. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. 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Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. And theyre going to keep running with this as long as they possibly can until somebody puts a stop to it.. I believe she [Ocampo] was brainwashed, said Martin. With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. Have a tip we should know? 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. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. 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. Libor Jany covers the Los Angeles Police Department. (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 . 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. Nearly all closed their eyes. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. Its not me thats doing this, this is what God wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Brian Ross. Since Joaqun Garca's arrest, La Luz del Mundo's media relations team says it cannot make official statements on his case because litigation is ongoing. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury on Friday also. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. 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. Naasn Merar Joaqun Garca (born on May 7, 1969) is a Mexican religious leader and convicted child molester who is the third leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, succeeding his father, Samuel Joaqun Flores, in December 2014. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. Ruiz told The Associated Press that his family has belonged to La Luz del Mundo for three generations. The arrests and charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice. In addition to his prison time, Garcia is expected to be ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Emailus. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. 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. 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. [emailprotected]. 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. They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. 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. We also claim so because it was recently reported that Naasns son Adoram acquired a massive mansion in Malibu, a highly affluent coastal community within Los Angeles. 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 . 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. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. Additionally, Attorney General Becerra testified before the U.S. Senate to push for the passage of the federal Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, which became law in 2018. by CNS June 8, 2022. 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. Sept. 19, 2022 11:27 AM PT Naasn Joaqun Garca, head of the Mexico-based La Luz del Mundo megachurch, pleaded guilty in June to sexually abusing girls from his congregation and was sentenced to. But in court they called him "evil" and a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "antichrist. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." Kriti Mehrotra December 6, 2022 As a documentary series that lives up to its title in every way imaginable, HBO's 'Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo' can only be described as equal parts gripping, riveting, as well as haunting. Garcia leads the Light of the World Church, an evangelical-based faith which claims to have five million members in dozens of countries around the world. "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. 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. She joined the newsroom in 2018 and spent several years working on the criminal justice team. 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. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 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. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. 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. His unexpected plea change came during an unannounced hearing Friday, which was only disclosed after the fact in a news release. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. 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. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. 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. When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Are You Taking It? Period, said Attorney General Becerra. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. 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. 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. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. 6 min read. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. ", 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. Born in Argentina but raised in Los Angeles, Miller is a graduate of Oberlin College and Columbia Universitys School of Journalism. "SHAME, SHAME ON YOU!": California judge scolds families for abandoning sexual abuse survivors before sentencing self-declared "apostle" Naasn Joaqun Garc. As of writing, the case is still being deliberated in a court of law. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. 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.". I said She was only 14 and you replied I should have brought her to you sooner., In pronouncing his sentence, the judge criticized those who had turned their backs on the victims, saying Shame, shame on you., But none of that seemed to deter his followers and church leaders who claimed the prosecutions evidence was doctored and altered, as they reiterated their support for the man they call their Apostle. A statement from church leaders following the sentencing stated our confidence in him remains intact, comparing his prosecution to a path that God has placed in front of him for a reason, as he did for Apostle Paul.. 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. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. CBS Los Angeles reportedthe California Department of Justice arrested Joaqun Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 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. They described him as "evil," a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "Antichrist. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. Damian Dovarganes / AP The. 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. Garcia is said to have coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over the years. While Flores was never charged with a crime, Garcias arrest and the subsequent charges against him made international headlines. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. 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. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. 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. "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. 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 RICO suit names him, the organization called Light of the World, his mother, his wife, his brother, and many of the leaders of the organization. Castillo, a recently married woman of 25, told AP the church advises members how "to lead a decent life," in which women may not drink alcohol or go out on frequent dates. When he was arrested, many of the faithful flocked to churches in the denominations hometown of Guadalajara, but also in Los Angeles and other cities. Many lifted their fists. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We will hold you accountable if you break the law, Atty. It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. Theyre still using this power they have to manipulate, use and control these people, Martin told the Law&Crime Networks Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. 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. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. A California appeals court ordered the . Naasn was revered among his church community, but things came crashing down around 2019 when he and two of his associates, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, came under the polices radar. Ocampo is the second woman from Garcias inner circle to turn against him. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. [emailprotected]. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. The California Department of Justice has also fought to protect juvenile victims of trafficking,bringing 54 felony chargesagainst the alleged operators of a statewide sex trafficking ring in 2017. 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 or story idea? Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. The arrests were the result of a joint effort between the California Department of Justice and a number of law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Los Angeles Airport Police. Times staff writers Jany and Ormseth reported from Los Angeles, Miller from Mexico City. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. The jailed leader is the grandson of La Luz del Mundo's founder: Eusebio Joaqun Gonzlez, a member of the military who began preaching in 1926. "He's firm in his convictions, and the church is firm as well in its purpose of moving forward.". He initially faced more than 20 charges, but most were dismissed after a plea deal with prosecutors. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. The church's doctrine is learned from the cradle. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. 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. Events, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma naason like a person. Newsroom in 2018 and spent several years working on the criminal Justice.! 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