She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. Naasn Joaqun Garcia Family has always decided to stay away from LimeLight for a very long time as the family members have always faced many bad considerations when they are related to him. Her bail was originally set at $5 million. 2023-01-18T22:40:40.262Z, The Argentine Government will repurchase 1,000 million dollars of external debt news 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. 2023-01-18T22:16:34.318Z, These emoticons or emojis could alert you that your child uses drugs 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. "All this goes to show that although you are part of this world, you have accepted a very particular way of life because you are Christian," Snchez-Walsh said. 2023-01-18T23:16:57.231Z, Thiago from 'Big Brother' asked for an exchange thermos: he received criticism and the memes exploded 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. John Roger Berg Murder | In what place is Vincent Vinnie Spoto now? 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. 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. She would target girls and bring them into his inner fold. Many lifted their fists. Joseph Pikul, Murderer of Diane Pikul Now. 2023-01-18T21:29:17.222Z, What strategies to use to get out of your credit card debt? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The church has tried to cultivate a law-abiding, hard-working image in Mexico where it counts about 1.8 million followers. Hes serving a nearly 17-year sentence in Los Angeles on sex abuse charges. The 53-year-old pastor was sentenced to about 17 years in prison for sexual abuse of three minors. 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. 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 Spanning the main street is a sculpture spelling "innocent" in Spanish. In September of the same year, he reportedly addressed his congregation via a phone call behind bars. 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. "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.". "It is not sufficient to say 'I have converted' or "I have baptized'" she said. 2023-01-18T22:22:45.283Z, TikTok, banned from government devices in more than half of US states. We will always stand with Californians against injustice.. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. (RELATED: Pastor Who Admitted To 1998 Sexual Assault Will Not Face Charges), Aerial view of followers of Mexico-based Pentecostal church La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World), surrounding its headquarters during its annual gathering in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico, on August 9, 2019. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. Ocampo will be sentenced at a later date. A forth accomplice, Azalea Rangel Melendez, remains at a large. Megachurch leader Naason Joaquin Garcia has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. HBOs Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo explores the story of alleged sexual abuse, many relating to minors, within a Mexico-based Christian megachurch called La Luz del Mundo (LLDM). "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. 2022-08-21, US Congress imposter: George Santos is said to have cheated veterans out of $3,000 for dying dog Joaqun Garca and his co-defendants allegedly committed these crimes between 2015 and 2018 while leading La Luz Del Mundo, an international religious organization headquartered in Mexico with reportedly over one million followers worldwide. We will hold you accountable if you break the law, said Attorney General Bonta. 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. 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. 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 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. Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. She also conducted nude photo shoots for Garca in which the girls touched each other, according to the charges. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human trafficking, sexual abuse of minors and extortion. According to the suit, the victims said they were routinely coerced since they were children to believe that Garcas wishes were direct orders from God and that if they didnt obey, it would lead to catastrophic consequences including, but not limited to, eternal damnation, unspeakable tragedy, infertility, and countless other harms.. 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. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Aug. 21, 202200:24. 2023-01-18T21:58:34.026Z, A former Wagner Group mercenary fled to Norway and now reveals explosive secrets of Putin's so-called "chef" OAKLAND California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced securing a guilty plea and conviction against Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, for multiple felony counts of sexual assault involving three separate minors. One of the perpetrators was Naasn Joaqun Garcia, the third leader of the organization, who was accused of sexually abusing and even trafficking countless young children over many years. - He is charged with crimes including forcible rape of a minor, conspiracy and extortion. After the imprisonment of her husband, she has already tried to protect her kids from protecting them from any particular problems they are supposed to face for whatever their father did with another woman. 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. The leader of the megachurch was helped by church associates Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo. 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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. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. 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. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. 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. 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. 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. This led to the position of the organization, which requested the release of its leader through a statement. The investigation began in 2018, in part, because of information submitted to the California Department of Justice through the clergy abuse online complaint form. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Kevin McCarthy is a famous politician and his scandal love life, Stimulus Check-In January 2023: Find Out More Updates, Will SSI Get A Fourth Stimulus Check? Garcia is currently in custody in lieu of $50 million bail and co- defendant Alondra Ocampo, 36, is being held on $25 million bail. The family has already kept silent for a very long time. OAKLAND California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced securing a guilty plea and conviction against Naasn Joaqun Garca, the leader of La Luz del Mundo, for multiple December 6, 2022. 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 in a statement to CBS News at the time. 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 2023-01-18T22:10:50.568Z, Yasmine Ateeq A cultural heritage seminar in Kafr Souseh, Damascus They will have to adjust to whatever happens. 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. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. Garcia pleaded guilty to counts 1, 7, and 9. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. Garcia inherited the office as leader from his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, who also had sexual assault allegations standing against him, according to DW. 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. 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. Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov, State of California Department of Justice, Consumer Protection and Economic Opportunity, California Justice Information Services (CJIS), helped bring downthe worlds largest online brothel, push for the passage of the federal Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, Attorney General Becerra Announces Arrest of Naasn Joaqu. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. 2023-01-18T22:58:40.446Z, What is Cordyceps and what actually causes the fungus mentioned in "The Last of Us"? His victims wept and begged the court for a reversal while his followers continue to adore him. 2023-01-18T22:52:45.963Z, Police search a container in Sheung Shui and reveal it as a Pai Gow gambling stall Ruiz told The Associated Press that his family has belonged to La Luz del Mundo for three generations. 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. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. news 2023-01-18T23:22:51.824Z, Democratic Republic of the Congo: UN blue helmets find mass graves with almost 50 dead On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. 2023-01-19T00:04:36.145Z, Who is Keityn, the co-author of the lyrics of Shakira and Bizarrap's hit 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. Some knelt and wept. Prosecutors said he used his spiritual influence to have sex with several female followers and was aided by others in the church who facilitated the abuse. So, if youre interested in finding out about Naasns current whereabouts and how he was apprehended, heres what we know about the same! We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Gut-wrenching: Rep. Quentin Williams, a rising political star, killed in wrong-way accident. "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. 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. Later on, in 2019, when he was directly arrested for sexual abuse and rape 20 charges, that situation there was a very bad impact on the family members, especially on his wife and children, so the family members departed from the natural location and went on to live out of the line light. Oaxaca also pleaded guilty today in court and was convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury. 2023-01-18T22:40:34.753Z, 'Justice is perpetual': the claim during the tribute to Fernando Bez Sosa three years after the crime 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. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury in June. 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 case was prosecuted by the California Department of Justices Special Prosecutions Section with assistance from the Appeals, Writs, and Trials Section. They were suspected of committing 26 felonies in Los Angeles County between 2015 and 2018. 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