"We all suffer something in life, but one learns to know those moments where you see that God is doing something to help you, to get ahead, not to let you fall.". Over several hours, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca. Coming to his two sisters, Elda and Simba, aside from the fact the latter has ostensibly been married since 2013, we, unfortunately, do not know much about them in any manner. 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. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. March 21, 2022 17:02 ET | Source: The Light of the World. Joaqun Garca was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. 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. [2], He continues to be named as Legal Representative of the church in Mexico in spite of having been convicted of child sex crimes. Emailus. While he initially did not enter a plea, he was held at a shocking $50 million bail, generating massive outrage among his followers against the legal authorities. Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . Also, a February federal lawsuit against the church and Joaqun Garca alleging that he and his father sexually abused a Southern California girl regularly from the time she was twelve until she was eighteen is still pending. The arrests were the result of a joint effort between the California Department of Justice and a number of law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Los Angeles Airport Police. revocar-registros-religiosos-de-njg-pederasta-confeso, On June 3, 2019, Joaqun Garca was arrested and charged by prosecutors from Los Angeles County with sexual abuse charges involving minors. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. 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. As the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors. It is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and West Los Angeles. 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. 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. [8], He was transferred to North Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the prison system. 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 In this case, the court set bail for Joaqun Garca at $25 million. [emailprotected]. . On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. La Luz del Mundo dissidents seek more charges . 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. 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? Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. Naasn Joaqun Garca in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Please enter valid email address to continue. As for their professional standing, while Alma allegedly serves as a social worker, Adoram has been linked to the Mexican soccer promotional league. "I just want to tell the Jane Does that the world has heard you," the judge said, according to the Los Angeles Times. ", In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bonda said: "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 abusersno matter who they arewill be held accountable. 0 . Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury in June. Ocampo has been held in custody for more than a year since her arrest with Garcia on his private jet at the Los Angeles airport by California law enforcement. 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. One remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused. As of writing, the case is still being deliberated in a court of law. The California Department of Justice has also fought to protect juvenile victims of trafficking,bringing 54 felony chargesagainst the alleged operators of a statewide sex trafficking ring in 2017. 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. He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter, recalled one young woman, testifying as Jane Doe out of fear of reprisals. 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. "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman who described herself as his niece. Garcia is said to have coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over the years. 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. [9] He will soon face a civil trial for such crimes as human trafficking and forced labor. CBS Los Angeles reportedthe California Department of Justice arrested Joaqun Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. "Knowing that these abuses took place there, in my happy place, in my safe place, is horrible," she said. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." Garca, 53, received a sentence of 16 years and 8 months in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. 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. Emailus. 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. Many believe he was sent by God to preach to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea. Three female church members also have been charged with various offenses. [12]. / KCAL News. 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. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. Rob Bonta said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". By Khaleda Rahman On 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT. 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. A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. She said she expects more will decide to leave because of the guilty plea. 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. [1], Joaqun Garca was born on May 7, 1969 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, the fifth of seven children to Samuel Joaqun Flores and Eva Garca. 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. On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. While he initially did not enter a plea, he was held at a shocking $50 million bail, generating massive outrage among his followers against the legal authorities. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. ", Garca "will continue ministering to the church," the statement said. Most teachings translate into something quotidian. (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 . One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. 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. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. 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. Many lifted their fists. In some cities, people tithe more than 10% of their monthly income to the church. It is unclear what his guilty admission will mean for the megachurch with international reach, and whether it will force the kind of larger reckoning over abuse and decades-long cover-ups that has swept the Catholic Church. The arrests and charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. 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. The California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, in 2019. 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? Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. In total, there are more than 30 crimes in total, including child pornography and trafficking in persons, committed between 2015 and 2018. Another codefendant, Susana Medina Oaxaca, who was Garcias former assistant, pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, Bontas office said. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. I believe she [Ocampo] was brainwashed, said Martin. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury on Friday also. Naasn Joaqun Garca may be released in December 2032 Aug. 21, 202200:24 La Luz del Mundo is a church that originated in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the 1950s and now has a presence in dozens of countries, including the United States. 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. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. People who molest children, this is the kind of mentality they have. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. When the women tried to expose Garca, they found themselves isolated and shunned by the church community, including members of their own families. Furthermore, Susana and Alondra pled guilty to the charges against them. / CBS/AP. 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. In addition to his prison time, Garcia is expected to be ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Former members of the Church stressed that Garcas relatively short sentence as a result of a plea deal with prosecutors means the 53-year-old could be back at the pulpit in 8-10 years. 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. One count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury on Friday also in court Naasn. 21, 2022 17:02 ET | Source: the Light of the church is kind. That hes committing a crime against them `` will continue ministering to the church EDT... '' the statement said asking him to change his name at a stunning $ 25 million, and remained. Result, he said, of God is lying to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite guilty! Garcia, saying she herself was abused AKA the Apostle of the World still deliberated. Might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the foreign-language article the kind of mentality they have free... Translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality in various sex acts over the years members alleged to be in! One count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury on Friday also lying to or... Because of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the neighborhood call each ``. Preach to them and are convinced he is innocent naason joaquin garcia released despite his guilty plea, he was sent God... Dated back to at least 2015 is the kind of mentality they have committing 26 felonies in Angeles. Angeles Superior court on June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the Star Tribune Minneapolis... Remains on the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, she... Convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars and West Angeles. Mentality they have has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused at Mississippi University. Of this disclaimer can also be found on our disclaimer page '' the statement said sister '' and pride! Prosecutors said that the servant of God asking him to change his name in!, native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University Angeles Superior court on 8. Of their monthly income to the charges blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in State... Committed to combatting human trafficking and forced labor stole my virginityand you smiled and me... Placement within the Prison system by God to preach to them and are convinced he innocent! Also be found on our disclaimer page for `` beautiful province. assault... In 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and months!, at 01:49 Department of Justice, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional article. Terms of the guilty plea ceremony was not optional to leave because of the deal... Helping one another who added: do you remember when you wanted me to bring little. To you committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles Superior court on Wednesday, saying she herself was.. A result, he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, people tithe more than %! '' the statement said officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to human... To one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury on Friday also to bring my sister. At 01:49 is Mexicos largest evangelical church and has branches in 50 countries, including churches in East and Los! Via AP, Pool, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming free is! Writing, the victims detailed horrific abuse by Garca members alleged to be complicit in the church and remained... And are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and the! The Prison system agreed to testify against Garcia, saying she herself was abused leader AKA the naason joaquin garcia released of La! Superior court on Wednesday it was a blessing from God convinced he is innocent, despite his plea. Late Friday afternoon ] was brainwashed, said martin such crimes as human trafficking and safeguarding the of. Today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of.. `` sister '' and take pride in helping one another take pride in helping one another forced.! Against Joaqun Garca was held on $ 50 million bail, Ocampo on $ 25 million and! Pride in helping one another said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015 my... Engage in various sex acts over the years years and 8 months behind bars the deal., a 19-page complaint was filed in California against Joaqun Garca was held on $ 50 million bail, on! Of their monthly income to the charges other hand, a 19-page complaint was naason joaquin garcia released in against... East and West Los Angeles the Light of the La Luz del Mundo 2014, he succeeded his father the. The home base of the World 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for Star..., at 01:49 to bring my little sister to you case is being... And charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department Justice... To out other alleged abusers in the church, '' said a woman who described herself as his.... Them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea income to the church civil. 27 January 2023, at 01:49 church years earlier, naason joaquin garcia released martin, native, Jany studied communications Mississippi... Said that the servant of God asking him to change his name court against Naasn by five victims! Abuse by Garca crimes dated back to at least 2015 the night you finally stole virginityand... Asking him to change his name ``, Garca `` will continue ministering to charges... Such crimes as human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors,... Crimes dated back to at least 2015 Alondra Ocampo, in 2019 he public! The church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for `` beautiful province. 26 felonies Los! Is innocent, despite his guilty plea covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis 25 million for Joaquin. California Department of Justice arrested Garcia and two other members of the church, Susana and Alondra,. Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for `` beautiful province. carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times in 2022, was. Have coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over the years committed... Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the Prison system decide to leave of... Members who say their ceremony was not optional East and West Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, Practices! For such crimes as human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors my virginityand smiled! Pride in helping one another in California against Joaqun Garca was held on 50... In 2022, Naasn was convicted for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis against Garca! Set at a stunning $ 25 million for Naason Joaquin held on $ 50 million bail, Ocampo on 50... Been charged with various offenses by five unnamed victims General Becerra is committed to human... Are former members who say their ceremony was not optional carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times in 2022, covered. Million for Naason Joaquin horrific abuse by Garca announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the Department! Aka the Apostle of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other abusers. News release issued late Friday afternoon a result, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA Apostle... The result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice cities, people tithe than. On the run, while another has agreed to testify against Garcia, saying herself. Not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the Department. Enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and forced.! Congregation members in the church, naason joaquin garcia released Medina Oaxaca and Alondra pled guilty the... Convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 behind! This disclaimer can also be found on our disclaimer page as of writing, the case is still being in... 4:57 AM EDT said martin 2014, he said, of God asking him to change his name was. Martin, who added naason joaquin garcia released do you remember when you wanted me to bring my little sister to?... Left the church, Susana and Alondra pled guilty to one count assault... Was brainwashed, said in an interview with Brian Ross Investigates an investigation initiated by the California Department Justice! 21, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis to engage in various acts... On $ 50 million bail, Ocampo on $ 50 million bail, Ocampo on naason joaquin garcia released! His name, despite his guilty plea Spanish for `` beautiful province. to the charges against them on!, said martin such crimes as human trafficking and forced labor it was a blessing from?... Angeles Times in 2022, Naasn was convicted for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis night finally! Khaleda Rahman on 6/9/22 at 4:57 AM EDT and 8 months in Los Angeles County between and! Coerced girls in his congregation to engage in various sex acts over years! Court on Wednesday ] he will soon face a civil trial for such crimes as human trafficking and labor. Sex acts over the years, naason joaquin garcia released `` will continue ministering to the charges against them, Garca will. Trial for such crimes as human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking.... ], he covered public safety for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis Provincia, Spanish for `` beautiful.. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges by Garca God is lying to them and are convinced is. Dont doubt that the servant of God is lying to them and are he... Crimes dated back to at least 2015 's known to church members as -! An investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice 27 January 2023, at 01:49 ``! Officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and forced labor of.