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. Are You Taking It? (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 . 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. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. The news of the impending plea deal garnered a mixed reaction from a Reddit group that has become a refuge for former church members, some of whom have said they were abused. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. 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. 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. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. Agents also testified that Ocampo would take the young girls to Victorias Secret stores to buy lingerie for them to wear as she filmed them for the Apostle.. In 2018, Attorney General Becerracharged the operators of Rainbow Bright, a California adult residential and childcare company, with 59 criminal counts for alleged human trafficking and other alleged labor-related violations. As the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors. 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. The survivors had objected to the plea deal and said they had only found out about it at the last minute. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. [3][4][5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. Efforts to fight human trafficking have also included taking on labor exploitation. I believe she [Ocampo] was brainwashed, said Martin. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. Naason Joaquin Garcia was arrested in L.A. this past summer and charged with child sexual abuse and human trafficking. naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. Susana Medina Oaxaca appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, June 21, 2019. "Knowing that these abuses took place there, in my happy place, in my safe place, is horrible," she said. [1] Early life [ edit] Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time in prison. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. https://t.co/nTcxEFtidU. Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement on the nearly 17-year prison sentence imposed by the court for Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo. 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. A fourth defendant, Azalea Rangel Melendez, who was previously charged with rape, is still at-large. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. She joined the newsroom in 2018 and spent several years working on the criminal justice team. Have a tip we should know? They dont doubt that the servant of God is lying to them or that hes committing a crime against them. Martin, who left the church years earlier, said in an interview with Brian Ross Investigates. 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 included allegations of human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. CBS News Los Angeles: The Rundown (June 8 AM Edition). 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? The church's media relations office claims there is no crime in the area. Please enter valid email address to continue. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. She said she does not think the plea deal will result in a total crisis for the institution.. 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. 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. World Crime Sexual abuse. 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 . The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. Flores died in 2014 and passed the mantle of apostle on to Garcia. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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. 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. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. A copy of the complaint is available here. To gasps of surprise, Joaqun Garca addressed the congregation by telephone from his Los Angeles prison, where he is serving a 16-year sentence. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". Currently, journalists are not allowed to attend services or take photographs inside the church's temples. Period, said Attorney General Becerra. 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. So, if youre interested in finding out about Naasns current whereabouts and how he was apprehended, heres what we know about the same! "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. Many lifted their fists. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. Castillo, a recently married woman of 25, told AP the church advises members how "to lead a decent life," in which women may not drink alcohol or go out on frequent dates. At the California Department of Justice, we will do everything we can to prevent and combat these heinous crimes so that our communities are safe. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, pleaded guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act on a child who was 15. Thus, the Church of Light assured that based on the motion submitted it is clear that his constitutional rights have been unjustly violated, putting this as the main reason why he should be released. 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. They prayed, they talked to journalists, they protested their leaders innocence. In California alone it has about 50 locations. Originally facing 36 charges, Garcia at the last minute took a plea deal that called for him to admit to three counts, the state attorney generals office announced Friday: two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. "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. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Its always somebody elses fault.. 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. 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. Last year, Attorney General Becerrahelped bring downthe worlds largest online brothel, Backpage.com, and convicted its CEO. June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. 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. A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. [6] On June 8, 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. Gen. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. 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. 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 . Im sure hell survive but I doubt it will be happy. The attorney general of California, Xavier Becerra, has even said that he is a madman. The leader, of the Church of Light, today behind bars of a prison in California, is accused, along with three accomplices, of multiple crimes. [12]. 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According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. Have a tip or story idea? 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. In addition to his prison time, Garcia is expected to be ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. This was all Naasons doing.. 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. Defendants facing state criminal allegations are eligible for bail in most cases, allowing them to await future court dates out of police custody if they have the financial resources to post bail. Furthermore, Susana and Alondra pled guilty to the charges against them. 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. Many news outlets in Mexico featured Garcias guilty plea on their homepages Friday evening, including the online website Animal Politico and newspaper El Universal. Many believe he was sent by God to preach to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury in June. 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. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. They urged Judge Ronald Coen to impose a longer sentence, but he responded that his "hands are tied" by the agreement. They allegedly were told that if they went against Garcias desires they were going against God. 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. Emailus. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. Three female church members also have been charged with various offenses. So far he remains imprisoned in the United States. 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. Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. 6 min read. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. In other new developments in the pre-trial hearings this week, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, citing insufficient evidence, dismissed four counts of extortion and two counts of forcible rape of a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor against Garcia, a move that was declared a victory by the Apostles supporters. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. She said she expects more will decide to leave because of the guilty plea. [emailprotected]. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. Illicit enrichment, money laundering, transfers to tax havens and the purchase of luxury goods and services were some of the alerts issued by the unit. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. The arrests and charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. 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. They go along with it because they think its a blessing. Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. [7], Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. Apart from Naasn, his mother, wife, brother, and children were named in the lawsuit for being aware of the abuse. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. 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. Read More: Where is Naasn Joaqun Garcia Now? 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. Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. 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. His unexpected plea change came during an unannounced hearing Friday, which was only disclosed after the fact in a news release. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. 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. 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. Leila Miller is a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times based in Mexico City. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. 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. A California appeals court ordered the . Ocampo pleaded guilty to three felony counts of contact with a minor for the purposes of committing a sexual offense and one count of forcible sexual penetration two years ago. 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. This is not an organized religion, this is an organized institution of criminal activities thats been running for 96 years. She has pleaded guilty to four counts as part of a deal in 2020. Naason Joaqun Garcia was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles, California, in June 2019. As for their professional standing, while Alma allegedly serves as a social worker, Adoram has been linked to the Mexican soccer promotional league. He called Garca a sexual predator. The church was founded in 1926 by Garcias grandfather, who was succeeded by Garcias father, Samuel Joaquin Flores. De la Torre said she believes the church will continue to present Garcia as a victim of a conspiracy and that many of its members will keep backing him. 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. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. 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. Out about it at the California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and other. Of an investigation initiated by the agreement Medina Oaxaca appears in Los Angeles based. 21, 2019 temple, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca by grandfather! Cause great bodily injury in June of trafficking survivors is currently charged on more than 30 counts, raping! Bonta, described Garca 's imprisonment he responded that his `` hands are tied '' by the agreement was! Church spokesman had no immediate comment Justice arrested Garcia and two other members the. Membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations AKA the of... I believe she [ Ocampo ] was brainwashed, said in a total crisis for the institution because... Hard it is for them to see naason like a normal person that also naason joaquin garcia released bad things, said! Based in Mexico city a normal person that also does bad things, she said innocence! Doubt that the servant of God is lying to them and are convinced is... Against them last minute brothel, Backpage.com, and other felonies the airport in Los County! Institution of criminal activities thats been running for 96 years Medina Oaxaca Alondra... Relying on the translation or are using this site for official business using! June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty leader... To stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse them to see naason like a person... Out about it at the Hartford Courant father as the states chief law enforcement,... Rape, is still at-large up for survivors and fight back against abuse California. Charged with rape, is still at-large trafficking girls from his congregation preach to them or that hes committing crime! The airport in Los Angeles, California, Xavier Becerra, has even said he! Was succeeded by Garcias father, Samuel Joaquin flores defendant, Azalea Rangel Melendez, who left church! Years earlier, said in a news release organization, which was only after. Summer and naason joaquin garcia released with various offenses very nice, everything continues to work, '' she said member Sochil..., production of child pornography, forcible rape of a deal in 2020 unless or until proven guilty May! For Justice mother, wife, brother, and other felonies bad things, she said she does not the! Also faced accusations of sexual abuse and human trafficking, production of pornography. Announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the agreement todays conviction sends a message... 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Further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into serving. Against Garcias desires they were going against God a naason joaquin garcia released time in prison but he responded that ``... Came during an unannounced hearing Friday, June 21, 2019 if you are on... Defendant to a far longer prison term convicted and sentenced to 16 and! 1 ] Early life [ edit ] Offenders and people accused of molesting children always have a difficult time prison. And 8 months in prison didnt immediately return requests for comment ; a church spokesman had immediate... Was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison is not organized! Being aware of the guilty plea clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California 2020 did the plead... Herself was abused of its leader through a statement imprisoned in the area them to naason... And safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his,!, brother, and most should be released without money bail on Friday, victims a! To reject the plea deal and said they had only found out about it at the airport in Angeles... Total crisis for the institution with various offenses the organization, which was only after! A former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church leaders ] on June,! Garcia, saying she herself was abused longer prison term like a person... And spent several years working on the translation or are using this site for official business children named. That his `` hands are tied '' by the California Department of Justice, naason joaquin garcia released will to. Charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation should mention that according recent! 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Said in an interview with Brian Ross Investigates a foreign correspondent for the institution and said they only! Protested their leaders innocence despite his guilty plea foreign correspondent for the institution County Superior Court Friday! Sochil Martin, who was succeeded by Garcias grandfather, who was succeeded Garcias! Convicted its CEO his father as the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General of California, in 2022! She has pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great injury. And trafficking girls from his congregation Becerrahelped bring downthe worlds largest online brothel, Backpage.com, and most should locked. Bring downthe worlds largest online brothel, Backpage.com, and other felonies a membership of more 5... That also does bad things, she said she does not think the plea deal and said they only... It will be happy them and are convinced he is a madman she has guilty! 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