Newsweek has asked the office of California's attorney general for comment on the church's claims. As per court documents, the complainants alleged he sexually abused one woman and three minors, also raping the woman and another child. Her attorney previously told The Times that Ocampo herself suffered years of sexual abuse in the church when she was a minor. Authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, Azalea Rangel Melendez. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. 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. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. (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 . Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. While he maintained his innocence for three years, Garca has . [3][4][5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. 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. ", Garca "will continue ministering to the church," the statement said. [emailprotected]. Flores died in 2014 and passed the mantle of apostle on to Garcia. 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. Times staff writers Jany and Ormseth reported from Los Angeles, Miller from Mexico City. And NOW is the time to stand up and fight.. LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are shocked by the facts in the recent motion filed by defense attorney Alan Jackson on . [8], He was transferred to North Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the prison system. 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. "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. So far he remains imprisoned in the United States. 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. He initially faced more than 20 charges, but most were dismissed after a plea deal with prosecutors. 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. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . 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. 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. 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. There are apparently video clips of them engaging in such atrocious acts, some of which even go as far as to include extreme incest. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. Have a tip or story idea? La Luz del Mundo is sometimes described as evangelical, but its members do not embrace this term. 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. 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. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. 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. Joaqun Garca was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. "I do not see the bars that separate me from you," he told his followers. Christopher Kellermeyer, whose wife Alondra Ocampo was charged with being Garcas accomplice by acting as a groomer, said Garcas followers would not be easily persuaded of his guilt. 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. Nearly all closed their eyes. 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If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. 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. This is a man who has committed atrocities in the name of God, in the name of this church and everything is an excuse. [7], Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. During services, the women sit to the right and men to the left. 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. Have a tip we should know? On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. 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. Since Joaqun Garca's arrest, La Luz del Mundo's media relations team says it cannot make official statements on his case because litigation is ongoing. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. / CBS/AP. 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. A megachurch has defended its leader after he was sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing . ", They spoke of how they had been manipulated and told they would be damned if they refused. On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. We will hold you accountable if you break the law, Atty. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. 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. #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. 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. "SHAME, SHAME ON YOU!": California judge scolds families for abandoning sexual abuse survivors before sentencing self-declared "apostle" Naasn Joaqun Garc. After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's been held without . When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. This was all Naasons doing.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The investigation began in 2018, in part, because of information submitted to the California Department of Justice through the clergy abuse online complaint form. They would be damned if they refused Garcia & # x27 ; s been held without you if. 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