2023-01-18T23:16:35.364Z, Department of Justice's "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Task Force" meets for the first time to set three work directions 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 She was detained for a few days in a jail in this city and was released after paying bail of $150,000. - He is charged with crimes including forcible rape of a minor, conspiracy and extortion. As a result, he pled guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. As of today, the Apostle has been detained for almost three years without attainable bail. 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. 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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. 2023-01-18T22:10:34.237Z, grew up in an abusive home and now cares for others with the same trauma: "When there is violence in the family, the transparent child is also a victim" | Israel today From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants allegedly coerced victims into performing sexual acts by telling them that if they went against any of his desires or wishes as the Apostle, that they were going against God. 2023-01-18T22:10:39.715Z, American lawyer found dead in Mexico suffered "a brutal crime", says his family "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. 2023-01-18T21:58:39.792Z, Manuela Schwesig: "I underestimated Putin's aggressiveness" December 6, 2022. LOS ANGELES (AP) The leader of a Mexican megachurch faces more than 16 years in a California prison when sentenced Wednesday for sexually abusing three girls who were followers. Thats because it charts not just the way the titular Mexican non-traditional Christian Church took advantage of minors for years but also the 2019 apprehension of leader Naasn Joaqun Garcia. "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 investigation revealed numerous instances of sexual assault that occurred in Los Angeles County since 2015, the California attorney generals office reported. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. The La Luz del Mundo church leader pleaded guilty Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. Read Also Joseph Pikul, Murderer of Diane Pikul Now? Born on May 7, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naasn Joaqun Garcia was the fifth of Mexican church leader Samuel Joaqun Flores eight children. 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. While it will never undo the harm and trauma he caused as the leader of La Luz del Mundo, this sentence makes it crystal clear that abusers no matter who they are will be held accountable.. Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership of more than 1 million appeared with his defense attorneys Ken Rosenfeld Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. 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. After the big incident, the Naasn Joaqun Garcia Family has always decided to stay away from the LimeLight area as the area from which the family got bad recognition in 2019. Ocampo was prepared to testify against him, her attorney Fred Thiagarajah said. 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. The grandson of the churchs 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 count of committing a lewd act on a child in exchange for a reduced sentence of 17 years behind bars. 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 Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, (RELATED: Pastor Who Admitted To 1998 Sexual Assault Will Not Face Charges), (RELATED: DOJ Opens Investigation Into Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse). 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. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. 2023-01-18T22:22:45.283Z, TikTok, banned from government devices in more than half of US states. So, if youre interested in finding out about Naasns current whereabouts and how he was apprehended, heres what we know about the same! Defense lawyers had said prosecutors were operating under a far-fetched legal theory that Garca used spiritual coercion for sexual pleasure. "I do not see the bars that separate me from you," he told his followers. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. Moreover, if they denied or hesitated, they were blackmailed by being told how they were defying Gods will. Yet, despite the charges against Naasn, his followers and the La Luz del Mundo continued supporting him and believing his claims of innocence. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. All three individuals are associated with La Luz del Mundo. Ocampo told girls that if they rebuffed the wishes and desires of the apostle, they were going against God, according to the charges. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Alma was seemingly always well respected but just not as popular, especially considering her position and the fact theres little to absolutely no information available on her on any public platform. Most teachings translate into something quotidian. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to assault charges resulting in bodily harm, while Ocampo pleaded guilty in 2020 and still awaits sentencing. 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. Explore More In Detail. But prosecutors said the victims were essentially brainwashed by Garca and felt they would be ostracized by the insular church community if they didnt submit to his desires. The head of the multinational church La Luz del Mundo was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to several sexual assault charges. She was tasked with sexualizing these girls and facilitating their abuse.. 2023-01-18T21:41:01.084Z, A 115-year-old Spaniard could be the new oldest of humanity An arrest warrant has also been issued for Azalea Rangel Melendez, who is currently at large. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 2023-01-18T22:52:56.769Z, RBD gathers their fans in different parts of the world to share an important announcement (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP via Getty Images), Multiple witnesses came forward during in investigation launched in 2018 by the California Department of Justices Special Prosecutions Section. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. Her bail was originally set at $5 million. They ended up lost at sea They will have to adjust to whatever happens. "He's firm in his convictions, and the church is firm as well in its purpose of moving forward.". Naasn Joaqun Garcia Family, especially his wife kids and mother, have not provided any serious statement against him as they have kept their silence in the entire matter and have also decided that there is no importance and discussing whatever has happened as they have already decided not to keep any relation with that man and also stay at that has not been any important details available about him. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. Nasson Joaquin Garcia admitted to two counts of forcible oral copulation with two individual minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child of the age of 15, according to a statement from the California attorney generals office. His confession came June 3, three days before his trial was scheduled to start. A forth accomplice, Azalea Rangel Melendez, remains at a large. Spanning the main street is a sculpture spelling "innocent" in Spanish. Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership of more than 1 million appeared for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 15, 2019. 2023-01-18T22:22:50.746Z, Netflix presents a very varied and especially humorous cinematographic menu for 2023 The leader of the megachurch was helped by church associates Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo. A new adjustment to the parole eligibility date for Naasn Joaqun Garca, leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, puts him before a possible five-year reduction to his sentence for During services, the women sit to the right and men to the left. He relied on those around him to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault. 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. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Naasn Joaqun Garcia was a church leader for a very long time and was a good and famous personality who used to perform good deeds but later on when the actual truth got revealed in 2019, he was directly charged with 20 rape cases there together, and after the investigation by the police officers, proper evidence got to reveal that he was related to these 20 women and salted the women sexually and raped them more than once. 13-year-old girl leads Nebraska troopers on 100-mph chase. Those born in the community are baptized at 14 because, according to the church, that lets them decide whether to reaffirm or leave the faith. "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. It is also anticipated that he wont survive this long and will die in prison within these 16 years. The lawsuit also includes Garcia's accomplices and facilitators, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Oaxaca, two members of La Luz del Mundo who were also sentenced to prison for helping them abuse the victims. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Sentencing is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 8 at 8:30 a.m. Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. Garca and Ocampo remain in custody. 2023-01-18T22:28:45.442Z, A study found what the smartest dog breed is - and it's not a border collie - voila! (LLDM, which claims a membership of more than 5 million in 50 nations, has locations in East and West Los Angeles, Orange County, and Palm Springs.) 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. Garcas grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church known by its English name, The Light of the World in 1926. The family has already decided not to say anything about that individual, as they have stated that certain important things need to be discussed. Damian 2023-01-18T21:29:17.222Z, What strategies to use to get out of your credit card debt? Ahead of the baptism, in a ritual known as "the revivals," children undergo days of prayer and fasting inside a temple. On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. Details About Democratic US Senator Raphael Warnocks Children And His Win in Georgia Run-off Election, Check Who Is Hakeem Jeffries Wife And Know His Net Worth, Who is Kevin McCarthy Wife? 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. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. 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. 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. Garca told the girls after they danced for him that a king could have mistresses and that an apostle of God can never be judged for his actions, according to the charges against him. Many lifted their fists. LLDM, which has anywhere from 1 to 5 million followers, was founded in 1926 by Aarn Joaqun Gonzlez in Jalisco, the Mexican state that is known for being the birthplace of tequila. The California Department of Justices investigation was supported by several law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Los Angeles Airport Police. `` innocent '' in Spanish said prosecutors were operating under a far-fetched legal theory Garca. Leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the organization, which the... Sexual abuse against minors 2020 and still awaits sentencing the purposes of sexual assault, he denied the,. To assault charges resulting in bodily harm, while ocampo pleaded guilty to charges. 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