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. Theyve always supported this pedophile, this rapist, this criminal, and who himself just confessed that he was a pedophile. 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM 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. 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. Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time in prison. 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. Born in Argentina but raised in Los Angeles, Miller is a graduate of Oberlin College and Columbia Universitys School of Journalism. Said parishioner Robert Pelegreen at the time: When David was going to fight Goliath, it looked like he was going to lose. The alleged crimes committed by Garcia occurred between 2015 and 2019. La Luz del Mundo is sometimes described as evangelical, but its members do not embrace this term. 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. Thats because it charts not just the way the titular Mexican non-traditional Christian Church took advantage of minors for years but also the 2019 apprehension of leader Naasn Joaqun Garcia. Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? 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. Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. He is the fifth of eight children and during much . Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan forgiveness. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. 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 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. Im sure hell survive but I doubt it will be happy. With Naasns grandfather Aaron Joaquin Gonzalez having established La Luz Del Mundo in 1926 and him being a third-generation heir, its honestly no surprise hed gained worldwide notoriety. The conviction comes just days ahead of trial, which was set to begin on Monday. 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. 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. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. Former members of the Church stressed that Garcas relatively short sentence as a result of a plea deal with prosecutors means the 53-year-old could be back at the pulpit in 8-10 years. According to VICE, the 53-year-old was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in June 2019. LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are shocked by the facts in the recent motion filed by defense attorney Alan Jackson on . 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 . 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. 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. "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. Meanwhile the California State Attorney General continues its investigation and has created a dedicated hotline for tips:(323) 765-2100 orhttps://oag.ca.gov/LLDM, Have a tip we should know? Garcia is said to have coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over the years. The KCAL News Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on KCALNews.com and CBSLA.com. The leader of a Mexico-based evangelical megachurch has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to three sex-related counts involving minors. And unfortunately, I see a lot of lamentations of family and family members that are out online saying that they feel very sad, he said. I believe she [Ocampo] was brainwashed, said Martin. 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. 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. 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. The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. ", They spoke of how they had been manipulated and told they would be damned if they refused. [1], Joaqun Garca was born on May 7, 1969 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, the fifth of seven children to Samuel Joaqun Flores and Eva Garca. The church contended that prosecutors withheld or doctored evidence, and said Joaqun Garca pleaded guilty because he didn't think he could get a fair trial. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. She was accused of grooming teenage girls for Garcias sexual pleasure. She said she expects more will decide to leave because of the guilty plea. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. Have a tip or story idea? Libor Jany covers the Los Angeles Police Department. By Khaleda Rahman On 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT. 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.". / KCAL News. 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. 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. Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . In 2018, Attorney General Becerracharged the operators of Rainbow Bright, a California adult residential and childcare company, with 59 criminal counts for alleged human trafficking and other alleged labor-related violations. 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. Even as a California judge declared their leader a "sexual predator," sentencing him to 16 years and eight months for sexual abuse of minors in his congregation, leaders of the Light of the World Church declared their faith in Naasn Joaqun Garca, known as "The Apostle of Jesus Christ," to his five million followers. In this case, the court set bail for Joaqun Garca at $25 million. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. They had once been his most devoted servants. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. The state of California refiled charges against Megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca last week for child rape and human trafficking. "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". As of writing, the case is still being deliberated in a court of law. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. Prosecutors said Garca, who is considered the "apostle" of Jesus by the church's millions of followers, used his position to have sex with girls and young women in the congregation. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. [emailprotected]. Times staff writers Jany and Ormseth reported from Los Angeles, Miller from Mexico City. Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. They have power, they have the money, she added. 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. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. 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. #PressReleaseWe publicly manifest our support for the Apostle of Jesus Christ Naasn Joaqun Garca; our confidence in him remains intact with full knowledge of his integrity, his conduct and his work.#AlwaysUnited pic.twitter.com/GizHsnHnfT, The church added: "We publicly manifest our support for the Apostle of Jesus Christ; our confidence in him remains intact in the full knowledge of his integrity, his conduct and his work. Do you remember the night you finally stole my virginityand you smiled and told me it was a blessing from God? said another, who added: Do you remember when you wanted me to bring my little sister to you? Agents also testified that Ocampo would take the young girls to Victorias Secret stores to buy lingerie for them to wear as she filmed them for the Apostle.. 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. And NOW is the time to stand up and fight.. Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. The attorney general of California, Xavier Becerra, has even said that he is a madman. The leader, of the Church of Light, today behind bars of a prison in California, is accused, along with three accomplices, of multiple crimes. "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. 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. This biographical article about a Mexican religious figure is a stub. 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. Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for years. Currently, journalists are not allowed to attend services or take photographs inside the church's temples. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". 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. "I just want to tell the Jane Does that the world has heard you," the judge said, according to the Los Angeles Times. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. The bail to be able to leave is 50 million dollars, one of the highest in history. Many lifted their fists. 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.. Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. World Crime Sexual abuse. . Powered by WordPress.com VIP. "I think it changed for the better in the sense that now we feel more united, and we feel more empowered," she said. 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.. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. 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, 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. 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. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. 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. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. [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 suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. 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. Hence, in September 2022, they filed a detailed civil lawsuit against Naasn for sexually abusing them, alleging other church members groomed them and used the religion as ammunition to manipulate them. "It has been a very difficult issue, of course, for him and for us," she added. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. [8], He was transferred to North Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the prison system. Three female church members also have been charged with various offenses. With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. 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