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 . 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. 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. His unexpected plea change came during an unannounced hearing Friday, which was only disclosed after the fact in a news release. However, this might merely pertain to his father rather than his wife or kids since neither of them has ever been indicted on such offenses. [3][4][5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. 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. 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. One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. Shame on you!". Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Emailus. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. 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. 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. She has pleaded guilty to four counts as part of a deal in 2020. 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 . Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . In California alone it has about 50 locations. 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. 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[6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. 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. And theyre accepting that narrative that he had no choice, that he is innocent and this is all still some kind of farce.. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. 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. 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. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. 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.". 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. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. First published on June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM. 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. "I think it changed for the better in the sense that now we feel more united, and we feel more empowered," she said. 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. https://t.co/nTcxEFtidU. 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. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. Apart from Naasn, his mother, wife, brother, and children were named in the lawsuit for being aware of the abuse. A megachurch has defended its leader after he was sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing . [emailprotected]. ", They spoke of how they had been manipulated and told they would be damned if they refused. ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth Emailus. . (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 . 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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? Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. Outraged by what they saw as a lenient sentence for La Luz del Mundo leader Naason Joaquin Garcia, a group is urging other victims to speak out. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. "Knowing that these abuses took place there, in my happy place, in my safe place, is horrible," she said. The church's doctrine is learned from the cradle. 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. 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. Ocampo requested that Jane Doe number one send her nude photos of herself because the servant of god who is defendant Garcia, would be really happy, said special agent Thomas Donohue in court. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. We will hold you accountable if you break the law, Atty. Garcia, he said, abused his authority to take advantage of children, while relying on his underlings to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault., Todays conviction can never undo the harm, Bonta declared, but it will help protect future generations.. They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. Last year, Attorney General Becerrahelped bring downthe worlds largest online brothel, Backpage.com, and convicted its CEO. He called Garca a sexual predator. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! Moreover, the eldest Joaqun child has even been quite active in the La Luz del Mundo congregation lately and could potentially be preparing to succeed his father. They prayed, they talked to journalists, they protested their leaders innocence. 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. Also, a February federal lawsuit against the church and Joaqun Garca alleging that he and his father sexually abused a Southern California girl regularly from the time she was twelve until she was eighteen is still pending. Most teachings translate into something quotidian. Ruiz told The Associated Press that his family has belonged to La Luz del Mundo for three generations. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. 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. 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.. Flores died in 2014 and passed the mantle of apostle on to Garcia. 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. Where Are Naasn Joaqun Garcia's Wife and Kids Now? "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. Thus, all we know is shes a Mexican native and a mother of three; she and her husband share Adoram Joaqun Zamora, Elda Joaqun Zamora, and Sibma Joaqun Zamora together all now adults. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. And still the bishops and the hierarchy are lying to the members. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human. For them, hes a saint that does everything well., Renee de la Torre is a researcher in Guadalajara for the Center of Research and Graduate Studies in Social Anthropology and has studied La Luz del Mundo. World Crime Sexual abuse. The man who leads a huge international church and calls himself the Apostle has now been abandoned for a second time by one of the women who allegedly groomed and recruited teenage girls from the church for him to sexually abuse. After several delays, Garcias trial was supposed to start with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen. Both father and son have been accused of using the churchs young members as sexual servants, of leading lavish lifestyles on the backs of their followers and of intimidating church members into silence and submission. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. 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. Joaqun Garca's prison sentence in June came after nearly three hours of emotional statements by five young women he was charged with sexually abusing. This is actually despite the fact he was born as the fifth of seven children to Samuel Joaqun Flores (his predecessor) and Eva Garca Lpez in May 1969 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco. 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 . They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. 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. "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.". The state of California refiled charges against Megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca last week for child rape and human trafficking. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. She said she does not think the plea deal will result in a total crisis for the institution.. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. 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. This is a man who has committed atrocities in the name of God, in the name of this church and everything is an excuse. 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? 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. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. Garcawho took over as "apostle" after his father, Samuel Joaqun Flores, died in 2014had been subjected to a prosecution where evidence was "suppressed, withheld, doctored and altered," the statement said. In a news release issued late Friday afternoon walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca 53... A statement and children were named naason joaquin garcia released the church, live events and. La Luz del Mundo for three generations with jury selection Monday before Los Angeles Superior. 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