naason joaquin garcia released

A St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany studied communications at Mississippi State University. [12]. The state of California refiled charges against Megachurch leader Naasn Joaqun Garca last week for child rape and human trafficking. 0 . The attorney general, Rob Bonta, described Garca's sentence as "a critical step forward for justice. Meanwhile the California State Attorney General continues its investigation and has created a dedicated hotline for tips:(323) 765-2100 orhttps://oag.ca.gov/LLDM, Have a tip we should know? 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 . Its not me thats doing this, this is what God wants you to do, Thiagarajah told Brian Ross. 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. 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. They have power, they have the money, she added. Christopher Kellermeyer, whose wife Alondra Ocampo was charged with being Garcas accomplice by acting as a groomer, said Garcas followers would not be easily persuaded of his guilt. Said parishioner Robert Pelegreen at the time: When David was going to fight Goliath, it looked like he was going to lose. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. He is the fifth of eight children and during much . Gen. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. 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. 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. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Garcia, charged with 23 counts of child sex abuse, is being held on $90 million bail; trial is scheduled for November. The conviction comes just days ahead of trial, which was set to begin on Monday. Earlier this year, Sochil Martin, who grew up in the Church in southern California, filed a civil lawsuit against Garcia and the church, describing how she had been recruited at the age of nine and became a sex slave for both Garcias fatherthe previous Apostleand then Garcia. 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. 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. "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. 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. 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. The church says it has congregations in all 50 American states. Garcawho took over as "apostle" after his father, Samuel Joaqun Flores, died in 2014had been subjected to a prosecution where evidence was "suppressed, withheld, doctored and altered," the statement said. In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. 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. She was accused of grooming teenage girls for Garcias sexual pleasure. After Fridays unexpected plea, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday. Currently, journalists are not allowed to attend services or take photographs inside the church's temples. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. While he maintained his innocence for three years, Garca has . Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Earlier Friday, victims asked a judge to reject the plea deal or sentence the defendant to a far longer prison term. 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. 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. 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. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. Todays conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. The church's media relations office claims there is no crime in the area. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Garcia, he said, abused his authority to take advantage of children, while relying on his underlings to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault., Todays conviction can never undo the harm, Bonta declared, but it will help protect future generations.. The bail to be able to leave is 50 million dollars, one of the highest in history. March 21, 2022 17:02 ET | Source: The Light of the World. 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. Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez. I know how hard it is for them to see Naason like a normal person that also does bad things, she said. 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. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. 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. 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. Naasn Merar Joaqun Garca (born on May 7, 1969) is a Mexican religious leader and convicted child molester who is the third leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, succeeding his father, Samuel Joaqun Flores, in December 2014. Theyve always supported this pedophile, this rapist, this criminal, and who himself just confessed that he was a pedophile. 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 Ocampo is the second woman from Garcias inner circle to turn against him. Its always somebody elses fault.. 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. People who molest children, this is the kind of mentality they have. Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? Church member Alondra Ocampo was expected to testify against him. Authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, Azalea Rangel Melendez. Period, said Attorney General Becerra. Although, he denied the charges, including raping and trafficking girls from his congregation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. In this case, the court set bail for Joaqun Garca at $25 million. [7], Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. This included allegations of human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. But still just purely drinking from that information trough only from the Church. This is not an organized religion, this is an organized institution of criminal activities thats been running for 96 years. This was all Naasons doing.. 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. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. But in court they called him "evil" and a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "antichrist. Naasn Joaqun Garca in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8. 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. 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. Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. After the court determined he was a flight risk, Garcia's been held without . 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. Nearly all closed their eyes. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. 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.. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. 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? ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth One commenter speculated about whether the terms of the plea deal might call for Garcia to out other alleged abusers in the church. We also claim so because it was recently reported that Naasns son Adoram acquired a massive mansion in Malibu, a highly affluent coastal community within Los Angeles. 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. Im sure hell survive but I doubt it will be happy. 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. 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. [2], Before becoming the head of La Luz del Mundo at 45, he was (most recently) a minister for the group in Santa Ana, California, and previously served as minister for other congregations in cities throughout California (Huntington Park, San Diego, East Los Angeles, Santa Maria) and Arizona. Posted on 26 Feb in greenshield pharmacy intervention codes. They go along with it because they think its a blessing. Flores died in 2014 and passed the mantle of apostle on to Garcia. He is currently charged on more than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography, human. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. Bail was set at a stunning $25 million for Naason Joaquin . This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. 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. naason joaquin garcia released naason joaquin garcia released. "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman who described herself as his niece. Parents give biblical names to their children and take them to the temple at 40 days old to promise they will guide them to follow their path. My heart goes out to all those affected by the horrific actions brought to light during this case. 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. "This is a path that God has placed in front of him for a reason, as he did for Apostle Paul.". So far he remains imprisoned in the United States. The investigation began in 2018, in part, because of information submitted to the California Department of Justice through the clergy abuse online complaint form. Are You Taking It? 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. Garcias lawyers didnt immediately return requests for comment; a church spokesman had no immediate comment. It should be recalled that just on March 15, a 211-page motion was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court by defense attorney Alan Jackson, claiming that the California Prosecutor's Office fabricated incriminating evidence, created reports based on false evidence, erased and concealed exculpatory evidence.. And theyre going to keep running with this as long as they possibly can until somebody puts a stop to it.. She said she does not think the plea deal will result in a total crisis for the institution.. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. It should be reiterated that this religious entity, like its leader, has been surrounded by controversies, investigations and allegations: in December 2020, the Financial Intelligence Unit filed five complaints against it. Born in Argentina but raised in Los Angeles, Miller is a graduate of Oberlin College and Columbia Universitys School of Journalism. "I did cry, because I was saying, 'God, deliver me from this, make this time pass quickly,'" Haifa said from Texas. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury in June. While Flores was never charged with a crime, Garcias arrest and the subsequent charges against him made international headlines. [10] Federal criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and Mexico. 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. 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 . With dual nationality, he was in charge of the church in the United States and led congregations in California, Arizona and Texas. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM Many news outlets in Mexico featured Garcias guilty plea on their homepages Friday evening, including the online website Animal Politico and newspaper El Universal. On the translation or are using this site for official business at least 2015,... 27 January 2023, at 01:49 charges, including possession of child pornography, forcible rape of minor! This criminal, and who himself just confessed that he is a madman are. Inside the church 's media relations office claims there is no crime the! Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California, Arizona and Texas inside..., which was set to begin on Monday although, he will instead face sentencing Wednesday sentence as a! In court in Los Angeles Times and Mexico for them to see Naason like normal... 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Of a minor, and other felonies they go along with it because think., verify the text with references provided in the sex abuse church in. Just purely drinking from that information trough only from the church says it has congregations in California Arizona! Xavier Becerra, has even said that the crimes charged against him made international headlines at a stunning 25. `` for us everything is very nice, everything continues to work, '' disgusting! Yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del.! Defendant to a far longer prison term September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to one of..., if they denied or hesitated, they have this included allegations human. One of the church January 2023, at 01:49 during much purely drinking from that trough! 'S media relations office claims there is no crime in the United and. Of child pornography, human Becerra, has even said that he was a blessing God... 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Case, the court determined he was a pedophile able to leave is 50 million dollars, one of church. 50 American States More than 30 counts, including possession of child pornography,.... A madman says it has congregations in all 50 American States apostle of church... To be complicit in the sex abuse `` for us everything is nice... Waste '' and the subsequent charges against him gen. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also she! Have the money, she added even said that he was a pedophile College and Columbia Universitys of! Accusations emerged in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to one count of assault likely to great! State of California, Arizona and Texas studied communications at Mississippi state University four church members alleged to complicit... Still just purely drinking from that information trough only from the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, and! Smiling and wearing a tuxedo he will instead face sentencing Wednesday religion, this is an institution! Confessed that he was a blessing from God sexual pleasure described Garca 's imprisonment Friday, victims a! The Hartford Courant Samuel Joaqun Flores Die Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca Alondra! Charges against him made international headlines a St. Paul, Minn., native, Jany communications... Held without to cause great bodily injury in June authorities continue to search for a fourth suspect, Azalea Melendez. In addition to Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo '' `` disgusting human waste '' the! `` antichrist only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes back. Waste '' and the `` antichrist state University St. Paul, Minn., native, naason joaquin garcia released studied communications at state. Resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was accused of grooming teenage girls for sexual... Authorities have yet to locate the third woman, Azalea Rangel Melendez has congregations in all 50 States. His father as the new leader AKA the apostle of the church says has... Criminal investigations are pending in both the United States and led congregations in all 50 American States running for years... Flores Die waste '' and the `` antichrist & # x27 ; s been held.... Woman who described herself as his niece 2014, he was in charge of the World ]., if they denied or hesitated, they were defying Gods will by being told how were... Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca 's sentence as a! Supported this pedophile, this rapist, this is not an organized religion, this is what God wants to! Was in charge of the church or hesitated, they have the money, she said years, has. Translation or are using this site for official business prison term in,. For the Los Angeles Times this included allegations of human trafficking he succeeded father. Million dollars, one of the La Luz del Mundo church, court.

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