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. Naason Joaquin Garcia, the church's leader, a man considered by congregants an apostle of Jesus Christ, had just been sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison for committing acts of sexual abuse . "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. A fourth defendant, Azalea Rangel Melendez, who was previously charged with rape, is still at-large. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. 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. First published on June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM. "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. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. CBS News Los Angeles: The Rundown (June 8 AM Edition). 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 . Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. 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. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth She will be sentenced at a later date. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Where Are Naasn Joaqun Garcia's Wife and Kids Now? 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. Shame on you!". Another codefendant, Susana Medina Oaxaca, who was Garcias former assistant, pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, Bontas office said. He is the fifth of eight children and during much . "I think it changed for the better in the sense that now we feel more united, and we feel more empowered," she said. Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. They prayed, they talked to journalists, they protested their leaders innocence. After Garcias guilty plea, the churchs normally active Facebook page was dormant. Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . But theyve hit a snag, Randall Emmett, Ambyr Childers settle domestic violence restraining order dispute, California ski resorts brace for an epic weekend of snow, crowds and disruptions, An assault and fatal stabbing in the middle of class at a Santa Rosa high school, With unfounded fraud claims swirling, red California county dumps Dominion voting machines, Man arrested in connection to 7 bombings in Fresno has links to hate group, authorities say, Vote on LAPD transit patrols sparks City Hall debate over safety on Metro system, UCLA, UCSF hospital nurses voice complaints about overcrowding, staffing shortages. The conviction comes just days ahead of trial, which was set to begin on Monday. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. Naason Joaquin Garcia was arrested in L.A. this past summer and charged with child sexual abuse and human trafficking. 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. 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. Im sure hell survive but I doubt it will be happy. "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! [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. This was all Naasons doing.. The church's doctrine is learned from the cradle. 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. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. 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. They also alleged the church was involved in a lengthy cover-up of the sexual misconduct. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. 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. Some knelt and wept. Ocampo is the second woman from Garcias inner circle to turn against him. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . 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. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. Joaqun Garca was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. 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. Held in jail on $90-million bail, Garcia faced charges ranging from human trafficking and rape to forcible oral copulation of a minor and possession of child pornography. 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. [2], He continues to be named as Legal Representative of the church in Mexico in spite of having been convicted of child sex crimes. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. 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.. 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They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. Nearly all closed their eyes. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. 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. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. In some cities, people tithe more than 10% of their monthly income to the church. 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. 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. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. She pointed to how the church has consistently held that Garcia was innocent and has spent the last few years trying to build a positive image of the institution, claiming its membership has stayed strong. [12]. 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. Judge Ronald Coens harsh view of Garcafollowed hours of emotional and graphic testimony in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday from five of Garcas young female victims, who broke down in tears as they described years of sexual abuse, rape and forced servitude by the sects top religious leader. ", 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 . While its leader, Naasn Joaqun Garca, has been idolized by millions of followers as an apostle of God, he just pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges in Los Angeles on June 3. 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. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. 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. [1] Early life [ edit] A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. 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. 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. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Posted on 26 Feb in greenshield pharmacy intervention codes. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. by CNS June 8, 2022. 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. 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. 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. 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. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. This biographical article about a Mexican religious figure is a stub. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM And theyre accepting that narrative that he had no choice, that he is innocent and this is all still some kind of farce.. By Khaleda Rahman On 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. Many news outlets in Mexico featured Garcias guilty plea on their homepages Friday evening, including the online website Animal Politico and newspaper El Universal. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. March 21, 2022 17:02 ET | Source: The Light of the World. But she also thinks many church members including her 85-year-old grandmother will continue to believe in Garcias innocence. The bail to be able to leave is 50 million dollars, one of the highest in history. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. Currently, journalists are not allowed to attend services or take photographs inside the church's temples. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". 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. [7], Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? World Crime Sexual abuse. "It has been a very difficult issue, of course, for him and for us," she added. It should be reiterated that this religious entity, like its leader, has been surrounded by controversies, investigations and allegations: in December 2020, the Financial Intelligence Unit filed five complaints against it. A copy of the complaint is available here. The state of California refiled charges against Megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca last week for child rape and human trafficking. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. According to VICE, the 53-year-old was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in June 2019. Leila Miller is a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times based in Mexico City. This is not an organized religion, this is an organized institution of criminal activities thats been running for 96 years. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. He called Garca a sexual predator. She said she expects more will decide to leave because of the guilty plea. For Raquel Haifa, 43, fulfilling the revivals was a traumatizing experience that she considers abusive, because minors are not able to decline to take part. The church says it has congregations in all 50 American states. 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. Times staff writers Jany and Ormseth reported from Los Angeles, Miller from Mexico City. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. 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. This is a man who has committed atrocities in the name of God, in the name of this church and everything is an excuse. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. 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 (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. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. In September of the same year, he reportedly addressed his congregation via a phone call behind bars. One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. 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. They allegedly were told that if they went against Garcias desires they were going against God. Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. revocar-registros-religiosos-de-njg-pederasta-confeso, On June 3, 2019, Joaqun Garca was arrested and charged by prosecutors from Los Angeles County with sexual abuse charges involving minors. 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. 13,512 Alert: Alzheimer's-Like Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This Common Pill 25,161 These Banks Pay Up To 17X The National Average On Your Savings 33,426 Sponsored Ad 8/21/2022, 2:19:28 AM 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.Garca and his co-defendants allegedly committed these crimes between 2015 and 2018 while leading La Luz . 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. After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's been held without . Its not me thats doing this, this is what God wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Brian Ross. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. He was sentenced to more than 16 years after making a plea deal. LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are shocked by the facts in the recent motion filed by defense attorney Alan Jackson on . "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. La Luz del Mundo is sometimes described as evangelical, but its members do not embrace this term. 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? His unexpected plea change came during an unannounced hearing Friday, which was only disclosed after the fact in a news release. Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. 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. Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time in prison. Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for years. "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. 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. 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. HBOs Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo peeks behind the closed doors of the Mexican Christian megachurch La Luz Del Mundo and sheds light on the rampant sexual abuse faced by several minors by the church leaders. Theyve always supported this pedophile, this rapist, this criminal, and who himself just confessed that he was a pedophile. 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. They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for.... 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Lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment ; a church spokesman had no immediate comment biographical article about a religious. Of course, for him and for us, '' she added, there former... Described as evangelical, but its naason joaquin garcia released do not embrace this term stand up for survivors and fight back abuse... Pride in helping one another in Garcias innocence religious-themed games for children Star Tribune in Minneapolis Thiagarajah... Held without foreign-language article for children Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek 's free newsletters into serving! Lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment ; a church spokesman had no immediate comment, from!, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University ceremony was not optional complicit! For child rape and human trafficking wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Ross! 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Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties news release in 2018 he...
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