Church youth group leader Alondra Ocampo, who previously pleaded guilty to abusing the girls, was charged with directing teenage girls in skimpy outfits to perform flirty dances for Garca. Ruiz told The Associated Press that his family has belonged to La Luz del Mundo for three generations. However, the five complainants, addressed as Jane Does in the court, were unhappy with the minimal sentences their aggressors received. She actively recruited and groomed girls for him, Thiagarajah said. The bail to be able to leave is 50 million dollars, one of the highest in history. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Many lifted their fists. 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. Today it claims a membership of more than 5 million in some 50 nations. "I see your beautiful faces because you are the children of God.". "It has been a very difficult issue, of course, for him and for us," she added. 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. January 5, 2023 Breaking News Followers of Naasn Joaqun Garca demand his release The Church of the Light of the World issued a statement in defense of The Apostle of It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. 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. "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. It is also anticipated that he wont survive this long and will die in prison within these 16 years. 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. They had once been his most devoted servants. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. 2023-01-18T22:22:45.283Z, TikTok, banned from government devices in more than half of US states. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Oaxaca pleaded guilty to assault charges resulting in bodily harm, while Ocampo pleaded guilty in 2020 and still awaits sentencing. "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". 2023-01-18T23:16:57.231Z, Thiago from 'Big Brother' asked for an exchange thermos: he received criticism and the memes exploded Are You Taking It? SACRAMENTO California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest and filing of charges against Naasn Joaqun Garca (Joaqun Garca) and his co 2023-01-18T22:16:34.318Z, These emoticons or emojis could alert you that your child uses drugs 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.. 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. 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. 2023-01-18T21:29:11.792Z. Over the course of the investigation and prosecution, prosecutors demonstrated that Garcas criminal conduct was enabled by the individuals surrounding him and that Garca used his position of trust and authority as the leader of La Luz del Mundo to sexually abuse children. The latter was the leader of the La The conviction comes just days ahead of trial, which was set to begin on Monday. 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. 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. They ended up lost at sea We will always stand with Californians against injustice.. Naasn became involved with the churchs activities at a young age and served as a minister in several other congregations across California and Arizona. The religion is "very demanding," said Arlene M. Snchez-Walsh, a professor of religious studies at Azusa Pacific University, a Christian institution near Los Angeles. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. Biblical verses are cited to explain behavior. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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 I am incredibly grateful to our team at the California Department of Justice for their dedication to securing justice and fighting abuse on behalf of the people of California. Ocampo pleaded guilty in 2020 to counts 19, 20, 21, and 33. "Instead of protecting those innocent women, Naasn and the church fostered and then brutally preyed on their blind trust and allegiance in the 'Apostle'". "Ministers, pastors and deacons have their same duties. 2023-01-18T22:40:40.262Z, The Argentine Government will repurchase 1,000 million dollars of external debt Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov, State of California Department of Justice, Consumer Protection and Economic Opportunity, California Justice Information Services (CJIS), Attorney General Bonta Secures Conviction Against Megachurch. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. 2023-01-18T23:10:41.702Z, Authorities record record number of firearms seized at US airports during 2022 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 2023-01-18T22:58:35.027Z, Last public meeting before the strike for Borne and Dussopt 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. 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. 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 Naasn Joaqun Garcia has been successfully married to Alma Zamora since 1992. 2023-01-18T22:28:45.442Z, A study found what the smartest dog breed is - and it's not a border collie - voila! She was detained for a few days in a jail in this city and was released after paying bail of $150,000. The family is presently in a very bad condition after he has been charged and then sentenced to 16 years in prison. There are apparently video clips of them engaging in such atrocious acts, some of which even go as far as to include extreme incest. 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. 2023-01-18T22:22:56.161Z, Agriculture in space: scientists receive samples sent to the International Space Station 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. 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. And Naason Joaquin, whose followers call the "Apostle of Jesus Christ" and "Servant of God," signed a controversial agreement with the California District Attorney's Office 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. "I do not see the bars that separate me from you," he told his followers. Garcia pleaded guilty to counts 1, 7, and 9. 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. Nearly all closed their eyes. Garca and Ocampo remain in custody. The leader of the megachurch was helped by church associates Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo. In 2014, he succeeded his father as the new leader AKA the Apostle of the La Luz del Mundo. 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 a child who was 15. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org. 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. 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. Sochil further alleged that her aunt and a foster mother groomed and coerced her into forcibly serving the church leaders. Stimulus Check 4 Expected Date Direct Deposit For Social Security Recipients. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Just on March 21, the Church of the Light of the World demanded Nahson's immediate release, after his defense filed a motion claiming that the California Prosecutor's Office conducted incriminating evidence against him. The arrests and charges announced today were the result of an investigation initiated by the California Department of Justice. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. 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. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. I do not see the bars that separate me from you, he told the congregants. The release of the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church on that date will be conditional on his good behavior. 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. They started to move away from the official places where the media could cover them. The church's media relations office claims there is no crime in the area. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Azalea Rangel Melendez, who is currently at large. 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. 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 Sexual assault is never acceptable, said Attorney General Rob Bonta. Aug. 21, 202200:24. 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