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. 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. Period, said Attorney General Becerra. She was accused of grooming teenage girls for Garcias sexual pleasure. 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. Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. 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. As the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors. In addition, they accused the La Luz Del Mundo church of sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and gender violence, seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. 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. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. [1] Early life [ edit] [8], He was transferred to North Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the prison system. A copy of the complaint is available here. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? #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. Ocampo is the second woman from Garcias inner circle to turn against him. "SHAME, SHAME ON YOU!": California judge scolds families for abandoning sexual abuse survivors before sentencing self-declared "apostle" Naasn Joaqun Garc. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. He is the fifth of eight children and during much . This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for years. Her attorney previously told The Times that Ocampo herself suffered years of sexual abuse in the church when she was a minor. 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. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. 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. Naasn Joaqun Garca in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8. The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. They go along with it because they think its a blessing. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. 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. "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. 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. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. 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. A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. Are You Taking It? "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter.". Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. Many lifted their fists. 6 min read. 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. Born in Argentina but raised in Los Angeles, Miller is a graduate of Oberlin College and Columbia Universitys School of Journalism. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. 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. 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. God has his plan.. She will be sentenced at a later date. 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. We will hold you accountable if you break the law, Atty. His unexpected plea change came during an unannounced hearing Friday, which was only disclosed after the fact in a news release. 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. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. 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? . In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. 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? "I think it changed for the better in the sense that now we feel more united, and we feel more empowered," she said. This is a man who has committed atrocities in the name of God, in the name of this church and everything is an excuse. The case against him came as a result of a tip in 2018 to a U.S. Justice Department website that was created to help people report abuse by clergy. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. 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. 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. When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. 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. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. Theyve always supported this pedophile, this rapist, this criminal, and who himself just confessed that he was a pedophile. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. 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. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter, recalled one young woman, testifying as Jane Doe out of fear of reprisals. Emailus. They dont doubt that the servant of God is lying to them or that hes committing a crime against them. 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