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. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. 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. 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 . First published on June 8, 2022 / 3:01 PM. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez. 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. 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. ", Garca "will continue ministering to the church," the statement said. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. This is not an organized religion, this is an organized institution of criminal activities thats been running for 96 years. Most teachings translate into something quotidian. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. . by CNS June 8, 2022. 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. 6 min read. Emailus. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. Joaqun Garca was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. 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. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. 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. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". 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. 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. 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. The state of California refiled charges against Megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca last week for child rape and human trafficking. Its unclear whether the latters work involves him marketing a team or sponsoring them, but we do know he appears perfectly content at the moment. Theyve always supported this pedophile, this rapist, this criminal, and who himself just confessed that he was a pedophile. Only the rare defendant like Naasn Joaqun Garcia should be locked up before trial, and most should be released without money bail. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. They can never accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. 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. 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. Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. 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. 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. "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman who described herself as his niece. Have a tip or story idea? Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. Emailus. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. They had once been his most devoted servants. During services, the women sit to the right and men to the left. Nassn Joaqun continues to be the leader of La Luz del Mundo church and one of the most powerful ministers of worship in Mexico. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. Naasn Joaqun Garcia, 53, faces more than 16 years in state prison and . He was sentenced to more than 16 years after making a plea deal. She will be sentenced at a later date. 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. 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. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. 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. By Khaleda Rahman On 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT. "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. 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. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. 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. Shame on 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. 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. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. Todays decision demonstrates, as we have always said, that the Apostle is innocent and his innocence will be judicially proven through the course of the trial a Church spokesperson said in a written statement to Brian Ross Investigates. Ruiz told The Associated Press that his family has belonged to La Luz del Mundo for three generations. The latter was the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church (translated to Church of the Living God), a non-trinitarian Christian organization founded in 1926. 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Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. The religion is "very demanding," said Arlene M. Snchez-Walsh, a professor of religious studies at Azusa Pacific University, a Christian institution near Los Angeles. 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. 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. 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. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. 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. LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The leader of a Mexico-based evangelical megachurch is due in a Los Angeles courtroom today to face sentencing following a deal with prosecutors last week in which he agreed to plead guilty to three sex counts involving minors. 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. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. The alleged crimes committed by Garcia occurred between 2015 and 2019. 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