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 "He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. The La Luz del Mundo church leader pleaded guilty Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. 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. 2023-01-18T22:22:56.161Z, Agriculture in space: scientists receive samples sent to the International Space Station 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.. Hence, in September 2022, they filed a detailed civil lawsuit against Naasn for sexually abusing them, alleging other church members groomed them and used the religion as ammunition to manipulate them. Ocampo pleaded guilty in 2020 to counts 19, 20, 21, and 33. 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.. After the big incident, the Naasn Joaqun Garcia Family has always decided to stay away from the LimeLight area as the area from which the family got bad recognition in 2019. They started to move away from the official places where the media could cover them. They will have to adjust to whatever happens. 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). To gasps of surprise, Joaqun Garca addressed the congregation by telephone from his Los Angeles prison, where he is serving a 16-year sentence. Please enter valid email address to continue. It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. 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. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. Period, said Attorney General Becerra. On the other hand, a 19-page complaint was filed in court against Naasn by five unnamed victims. In September 2022, the Associated Press reported that thousands gathered to pray for their absent leader at the churchs main temple in Guadalajara, and to gasps of surprise, Garca addressed the congregation by telephone from his Los Angeles prison. 2023-01-18T21:29:17.222Z, What strategies to use to get out of your credit card debt? "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.". "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP via Getty Images), Multiple witnesses came forward during in investigation launched in 2018 by the California Department of Justices Special Prosecutions Section. 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. For some young people, these steps include memorizing songs honoring the apostle, reading the Bible before bed and not marrying someone from outside the church. 2023-01-18T23:22:51.824Z, Democratic Republic of the Congo: UN blue helmets find mass graves with almost 50 dead Italys Most Wanted Mafia Boss Matteo Messina Arrested in Sicily After 3 Decades, Keenan Anderson, cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder, dies after being tased by Los Angeles police, 4 Factors That May Increase Chances of Long COVID-19, New Study Shows, COVID-19 Origin: American Scientists, Federal Health Officials Found Out Conflicting Root of the Virus, Surge of Omicron Variant Hampers Economic Recovery in the Country, 2 More $1,400 Stimulus Checks Could Be Released Anytime To Millions of Americans, Children Infected With COVID-19 Has Reached 1 Million, Wayne Brown Jr Died Read Now To Know More, $660 Monthly Stimulus Check Now Open For Application, $15,775 Can Now Be Claimed from IRS Open, $500 Million Child Care Assistance Remains Unclaim, Heres How To Apply. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. However, the five complainants, addressed as Jane Does in the court, were unhappy with the minimal sentences their aggressors received. Congregation members in the neighborhood call each other "brother" and "sister" and take pride in helping one another. The church's media relations office claims there is no crime in the area. news In denying a defense motion to dismiss the case, a judge said Garca used religion as invisible handcuffs to exploit his victims. They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2023-01-18T22:22:50.746Z, Netflix presents a very varied and especially humorous cinematographic menu for 2023 Even outside the temple, the sound of his voice stirred emotions among dozens of devotees guarding entries to the sanctuary. 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. His victims wept and begged the court for a reversal while his followers continue to adore him. 2022-08-21, US Congress imposter: George Santos is said to have cheated veterans out of $3,000 for dying dog SACRAMENTO California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest and filing of charges against Naasn Joaqun Garca (Joaqun Garca) and his co Joseph Pikul, Murderer of Diane Pikul Now. Near the end of the call, Joaqun Garca asked his followers to raise their hands and their voices to God and repeat after him: "I promise you, Lord, that whatever the suffering, I will never abandon you.". Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Its male members favor suits and short hair, and female members wear veils that cover their hair and modest dresses. 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. Nasson Joaquin Garcia admitted to two counts of forcible oral copulation with two individual minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child of the age of 15, according to a statement from the California attorney generals office. His confession came June 3, three days before his trial was scheduled to start. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. 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. Nevertheless, there are former members who say their ceremony was not optional. Her bail was originally set at $5 million. The jailed leader is the grandson of La Luz del Mundo's founder: Eusebio Joaqun Gonzlez, a member of the military who began preaching in 1926. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. According to recent records, Naasn was transferred to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, in August 2022. In September of the same year, he reportedly addressed his congregation via a phone call behind bars. "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. He initially faced more than 20 charges, but most were dismissed after a plea deal with prosecutors. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo church, in court in Los Angeles in 2020. Todays conviction can never undo the harm, but it will help protect future generations. September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM The 53-year-old pastor was sentenced to about 17 years in prison for sexual abuse of three minors. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. There are about 1 million U.S. members. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Efforts to fight human trafficking have also included taking on labor exploitation. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. 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" 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. 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. For three years she remained monitored by a geolocation device that kept her rooted in her home in San Diego, on the border with Mexico. These individuals created a direct impact on their life. 2023-01-18T23:16:57.231Z, Thiago from 'Big Brother' asked for an exchange thermos: he received criticism and the memes exploded Todays conviction is the result of a multiyear investigation and prosecution led by the California Department of Justice. (RELATED: DOJ Opens Investigation Into Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse). 2023-01-19T00:10:36.153Z, This is what the interior of the "invisible house" looks like, which is for sale for US$ 18 million Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership of more than 1 million appeared for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 15, 2019. The leader of the megachurch was helped by church associates Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo. (LLDM, which claims a membership of more than 5 million in 50 nations, has locations in East and West Los Angeles, Orange County, and Palm Springs.) Oaxaca pleaded guilty to assault charges resulting in bodily harm, while Ocampo pleaded guilty in 2020 and still awaits sentencing. 2023-01-18T23:28:35.547Z, Hand in hand with the Argentine Dakar champion Kevin Benavides Only in September 2020 did the man plead not guilty to the crimes charged against him. They had once been his most devoted servants. 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. His false impact has directly got upon two his wife and especially on his kids as they have got a very bad image of their father, which has affected them to a great extent. This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, (RELATED: Pastor Who Admitted To 1998 Sexual Assault Will Not Face Charges), (RELATED: DOJ Opens Investigation Into Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse). Sexual assault is never acceptable, said Attorney General Rob Bonta. She also conducted nude photo shoots for Garca in which the girls touched each other, according to the charges. 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. 2023-01-18T23:16:40.793Z, The day Cristina explained why Nisman had been murdered 2023-01-18T21:58:39.792Z, Manuela Schwesig: "I underestimated Putin's aggressiveness" 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. LLDM, which has anywhere from 1 to 5 million followers, was founded in 1926 by Aarn Joaqun Gonzlez in Jalisco, the Mexican state that is known for being the birthplace of tequila. LOS ANGELES (AP) The leader of a Mexican megachurch faces more than 16 years in a California prison when sentenced Wednesday for sexually abusing three girls who were followers. A judge had thrown out four counts of extortion and sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury for lack of evidence. 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 them and used the religion as ammunition against them. He relied on those around him to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault. Naasn Joaqun Garcia Family, Present Location and Details By Indrayudh Published December 8, 2022 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. 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. During services, the women sit to the right and men to the left. 2023-01-19T00:04:36.145Z, Who is Keityn, the co-author of the lyrics of Shakira and Bizarrap's hit 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. "The apostle always shows determination to move forward," said Phares Ruiz, who traveled from El Salvador to attend the Holy Supper. The conviction comes just days ahead of trial, which was set to begin on Monday. From the walls hang photographs of Joaqun Garca, smiling and wearing a tuxedo. Many believe he was sent by God to preach to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea. 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