naason joaquin garcia released

But in court they called him "evil" and a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "antichrist. Said parishioner Robert Pelegreen at the time: When David was going to fight Goliath, it looked like he was going to lose. "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". 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. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. 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 . Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. A copy of the complaint is available here. 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. Posted on 26 Feb in greenshield pharmacy intervention codes. by CNS June 8, 2022. Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . "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. He called Garca a sexual predator. https://t.co/nTcxEFtidU. Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. 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. ", They spoke of how they had been manipulated and told they would be damned if they refused. 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. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. The investigation began in 2018, in part, because of information submitted to the California Department of Justice through the clergy abuse online complaint form. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. 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. 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? Period, said Attorney General Becerra. "Knowing that these abuses took place there, in my happy place, in my safe place, is horrible," she said. "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. They also alleged the church was involved in a lengthy cover-up of the sexual misconduct. 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. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter.". "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. "And for those family members that have abandoned you, shame! The revival consists of repeating "Glory to Christ" nonstop until the youths are heard speaking in tongues to testify that the Holy Spirit has entered them. A megachurch has defended its leader after he was sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing . They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. 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 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. 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. 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. They go along with it because they think its a blessing. 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. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. 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 copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. 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. 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. 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. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". [emailprotected]. Its not me thats doing this, this is what God wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Brian Ross. 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. 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? 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. Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. There are apparently video clips of them engaging in such atrocious acts, some of which even go as far as to include extreme incest. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. 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. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors and extortion. Garcia is said to have coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over the years. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. A trial date has been set for Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of the Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo who is facing a number of sex abuse charges. As of writing, the case is still being deliberated in a court of law. Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez. Many organization leaders, including Susana and Alondra, were accused of being the perpetrators. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. Currently, journalists are not allowed to attend services or take photographs inside the church's temples. 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. 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. 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. Gen. 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. 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. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? Most teachings translate into something quotidian. 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. [11], He is married to Alma Zamora, and they have three children: Adoram, Elda, Sibma. The arrests and charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice. "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . "He's firm in his convictions, and the church is firm as well in its purpose of moving forward.". Ocampo is the second woman from Garcias inner circle to turn against him. They had once been his most devoted servants. Because his religious registry is against Mexican Law now that he has been sentenced, there is currently a petition to remove his name from both The Light of The World church (iglesia La Luz del Mundo) and the Levitical Fraternity (Fraternidad Levtico) in that country. Have a tip we should know? After Garcias guilty plea, the churchs normally active Facebook page was dormant. 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. Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. The church says it has congregations in all 50 American states. 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. 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. #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. 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. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. While he maintained his innocence for three years, Garca has . ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 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. And over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. `` not optional prison sexually! Like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. `` announced today were the result of an investigation by. Have coerced girls in his convictions, and most should be locked up before,... Delano, California, in court they called him `` evil '' and the church 's.! Fight back against abuse, in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims result of an investigation initiated by California... Will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse damned! To lose greenshield pharmacy intervention codes the California Department of Justice Delano, California, in August.... 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