I do not see the bars that separate me from you, he told the congregants. 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. Their spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. Read Also Joseph Pikul, Murderer of Diane Pikul Now? So far he remains imprisoned in the United States. All three individuals are associated with La Luz del Mundo. 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. Ocampo was prepared to testify against him, her attorney Fred Thiagarajah said. 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. 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 So, if youre interested in finding out about Naasns current whereabouts and how he was apprehended, heres what we know about the same! 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. Garcia inherited the office as leader from his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, who also had sexual assault allegations standing against him, according to DW. 2023-01-19T00:22:36.569Z, Elizabeth Prez and Ral Senz analyze the elimination of Rafael Nadal from the Australian Open 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. 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. 2023-01-18T23:17:02.633Z, With a reflection, Isabel Macedo responded to those who questioned her daughter's body 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. Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. 2023-01-18T22:16:34.318Z, These emoticons or emojis could alert you that your child uses drugs The investigation, which was launched in 2018, culminated in the arrest of Garca, Susana Medina Oaxaca, and Alondra Ocampo in 2019 for conduct that occurred over several years in Los Angeles County dating back to at least 2015. On June 8, 2022, Naasn was convicted for the three charges and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months behind bars. 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. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Azalea Rangel Melendez, who is currently at large. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Speaking on a podcast called "I Left a Sect," Lo-ami Salazar said Hermosa Provincia used to be her "happy place.". The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ahead of the baptism, in a ritual known as "the revivals," children undergo days of prayer and fasting inside a temple. La Muz del Mundo is represented in over 58 countries and claims to have over 5 million followers. 2023-01-18T22:52:45.963Z, Police search a container in Sheung Shui and reveal it as a Pai Gow gambling stall Joseph Pikul, Murderer of Diane Pikul Now. September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM (RELATED: DOJ Opens Investigation Into Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse). We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. 2023-01-18T23:16:51.808Z, Barby Franco showed her body a month after the birth of her daughter and received praise: "Finally a famous woman who publishes something real and natural" Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. 2023-01-18T23:16:40.793Z, The day Cristina explained why Nisman had been murdered 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. Garcia, 53, had publicly maintained his innocence for years. They ended up lost at sea "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". They will have to adjust to whatever happens. However, his wife Alma Zamora de Joaqun, with whom hed tied the knot in 1992, reportedly does not enjoy the same status in any of the 50+ countries wherein the church has a presence. Another female co-defendant who was a member of the church, Susana Medina Oaxaca, 27, pleaded guilty Friday to assault likely to cause great bodily injury, a misdemeanor. Naasn Joaqun Garca may be released in December 2032 Dementia And Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This Common Pill. Similar accusations emerged in September last year, so the trial ended up being rescheduled for May 2022. 2023-01-18T23:52:35.912Z, Between essays, biographies and novels: what books will we read in 2023 [3] [4] [5] Two days before his trial, Naasn Joaqun Garcia pleaded guilty to three charges related to sexually abusing children. [6] On June 8 2022 he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison. [7] Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. / CBS/AP. SACRAMENTO California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest and filing of charges against Naasn Joaqun Garca (Joaqun Garca) and his co Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. Sexual assault is never acceptable, said Attorney General Rob Bonta. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. Not just that, the complaint detailed how the victims were reportedly forced to perform sexual acts and dances in minimal clothing for their Apostle. 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. She also conducted nude photo shoots for Garca in which the girls touched each other, according to the charges. (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. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. 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. Like other women in Hermosa Provincia, she wears dresses and skirts that are not form-fitting, eschews makeup and earrings and wears her hair long. Thus, the Church of Light assured that based on the motion submitted it is clear that his constitutional rights have been unjustly violated, putting this as the main reason why he should be released. "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". 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. 2023-01-18T21:41:01.084Z, A 115-year-old Spaniard could be the new oldest of humanity The latter was the leader of the La 2023-01-18T21:40:55.584Z, Lautaro Martnez, champion again a month from the World Cup: great goal and title with Inter in the Italian Super Cup Search warrant details items seized from Idaho murder suspect's apartment, U.S. lawyer who died in Mexico was "victim of a brutal crime," family says, Georgia state trooper shot near "Cop City," alleged shooter killed, officials say, South Carolina's Clyburn says he is convinced Biden will seek second term, Brian Walshe, accused of killing wife, allegedly looked up ways to dispose of body, Lisa Marie Presley's cause of death "deferred," coroner says, UPenn asked for info on Biden think tank donors, visitor logs, 200 millionaires say inequality is "eating the world alive", Rat poison found in Taco Bell takeout order, authorities say, British actor Julian Sands reported missing while hiking north of Los Angeles, George Santos accused of stealing funds for veteran's dying dog, Officials investigate arson at central Illinois Planned Parenthood facility, Sam's Club New Year's 2023 deal: Get a Sam's Club membership for $25 and save big on gas, Market has biggest pullback of the year, led by tech, U.S. to allow private sponsorship of refugees from around the world, New York City starts providing free abortion pills, Netflix is looking for a flight attendant, and the pay range may shock you, Kamala Harris to give speech to commemorate 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Best treadmills for your for your home gym in 2023, plus deals, Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Provorov refuses to wear LGBTQ+ Pride Night jersey, Rapper Flo Rida awarded $83M in fight with energy drink maker, Schools struggle to provide meals for kids as inflation sends food costs soaring, Why a medical exam may be required for life insurance, 3 times to increase your life insurance coverage, Megachurch leader gets over 16 years for abuse, Mexican megachurch leader gets over 16 years in prison for sexual abuse. 2023-01-18T22:58:35.027Z, Last public meeting before the strike for Borne and Dussopt Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. 2023-01-18T22:22:50.746Z, Netflix presents a very varied and especially humorous cinematographic menu for 2023 In this case, the court set bail for Joaqun Garca at $25 million. As for their professional standing, while Alma allegedly serves as a social worker, Adoram has been linked to the Mexican soccer promotional league. 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. Read More: How Did Samuel Joaqun Flores Die? From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. 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. Ruiz told The Associated Press that his family has belonged to La Luz del Mundo for three generations. 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. As of today, the Apostle has been detained for almost three years without attainable bail. Naasn Joaqun Garca may be released in December 2032. 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 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. 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. The 53-year-old pastor was sentenced to about 17 years in prison for sexual abuse of three minors. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. "It has been a very difficult issue, of course, for him and for us," she added. 2023-01-18T23:16:57.231Z, Thiago from 'Big Brother' asked for an exchange thermos: he received criticism and the memes exploded Susana Medina Oaxaca appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, June 21, 2019. 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. Her bail was originally set at $5 million. 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. At the California Department of Justice, we will do everything we can to prevent and combat these heinous crimes so that our communities are safe. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. On Sept. 8 a lawsuit was filed in California against Joaqun Garca and four church members alleged to be complicit in the sex abuse. It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. A copy of the charging document is available here. 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 "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". 2023-01-18T23:04:35.147Z, An 'angel' with artificial intelligence tracks clues to find the disappeared in Mexico Garca took over as apostle after his father, Samuel Joaqun Flores, died in 2014. 2023-01-18T23:46:40.448Z, Tidiane, 16, stabbed to death in Thiais: four teenagers indicted and imprisoned Garca and Oaxaca were arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport upon arrival into the United States and Ocampo was also arrested separately in Los Angeles County. 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 Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. 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. They decided to stay away in a local house and California, the familys residence, for a long time. These individuals created a direct impact on their life. Are You Taking It? "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. 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. Check Out Here, Will You Get Another Stimulus Payment in 2023? In addition to Joaqun Garca, Alondra Ocampo and Susana Medina Oaxaca were also arrested. In September of the same year, he reportedly addressed his congregation via a phone call behind bars. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. In some cities, people tithe more than 10% of their monthly income to the church. Furthermore, Susana and Alondra pled guilty to the charges against them. For Raquel Haifa, 43, fulfilling the revivals was a traumatizing experience that she considers abusive, because minors are not able to decline to take part. Garcas grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church known by its English name, The Light of the World in 1926. A Teen Murder Victim's Horrific Diary Entry Helped Police Find Her Killer, Kai The Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker Was Arrested Months After His Viral Interview, Netflix's Latest True-Crime Docuseries Dives Into A $65 Billion Ponzi Scheme, 'The Last Of Us' Star Bella Ramsey Almost Didnt Take The Role Of Ellie, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. But in court they called him "evil" and a "monster," "disgusting human waste" and the "antichrist. Citing crimes dating back to 2015, the California Department of Justice arrested Garca, aka the Apostle, in 2019 at Los Angeles International Airport, along with two other church members, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo, and held him on $90-million bail. As of writing, the case is still being deliberated in a court of law. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. Megachurch leader Naason Joaquin Garcia has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. 2023-01-18T23:10:55.786Z, The atrocious methods of organized crime in Ecuador to sow terror Garcia pleaded guilty to counts 1, 7, and 9. However, the five complainants, addressed as Jane Does in the court, were unhappy with the minimal sentences their aggressors received. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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