We will always stand with Californians against injustice.. In 2018, Attorney General Becerracharged the operators of Rainbow Bright, a California adult residential and childcare company, with 59 criminal counts for alleged human trafficking and other alleged labor-related violations. She was detained for a few days in a jail in this city and was released after paying bail of $150,000. The release of the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church on that date will be conditional on his good behavior. (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. 2023-01-18T23:10:41.702Z, Authorities record record number of firearms seized at US airports during 2022 2023-01-18T22:22:56.161Z, Agriculture in space: scientists receive samples sent to the International Space Station 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. 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. Spanning the main street is a sculpture spelling "innocent" in Spanish. 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 for their professional standing, while Alma allegedly serves as a social worker, Adoram has been linked to the Mexican soccer promotional league. As of writing, the case is still being deliberated in a court of law. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. Damian 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. 2023-01-18T22:28:34.565Z, These are the searches Brian Walshe did on Google before and after he killed his wife Ana Walshe, according to prosecutors - He is charged with crimes including forcible rape of a minor, conspiracy and extortion. Susana Medina Oaxaca appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, June 21, 2019. Details About Democratic US Senator Raphael Warnocks Children And His Win in Georgia Run-off Election, Check Who Is Hakeem Jeffries Wife And Know His Net Worth, Who is Kevin McCarthy Wife? Ocampo pleaded guilty in 2020 to counts 19, 20, 21, and 33. 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. They will have to adjust to whatever happens. He took a plea deal that dropped 23 sex abuse charges to just three counts of child sex abuse. We should mention that according to Vice, apart from Naasn, his family has also faced accusations of sexual abuse against minors. Since having carried out harassment of minors, touching and rape. 2023-01-18T22:40:40.262Z, The Argentine Government will repurchase 1,000 million dollars of external debt Garcas grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church known by its English name, The Light of the World in 1926. 2023-01-18T23:22:35.481Z, By 2100 the sea level could rise up to 50 centimeters, according to a study 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. Garca had been scheduled to go on trial Monday on 19 counts that also included allegations of human trafficking to produce child pornography. 2023-01-18T22:10:45.162Z, "It does not rhyme": Michel Sardou not convinced by a song written by ChatGPT They started to move away from the official places where the media could cover them. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.. 2023-01-18T23:22:46.392Z, They planned to "survive the end of the world." Naason Joaquin Garcia was arrested in L.A. this past summer and charged with child sexual abuse and human trafficking. Their spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. 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. Aarn's wife was the church's first member. As the states chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of trafficking survivors. "You have to follow certain steps to prove your loyalty.". Has Tension risen Between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris? They bless the bread, the wine, and do other things as if he were here, although physically he is not.". 2023-01-18T23:22:51.824Z, Democratic Republic of the Congo: UN blue helmets find mass graves with almost 50 dead Oaxaca also pleaded guilty today in court and was convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury. The home base of the church is the Guadalajara neighborhood of Hermosa Provincia, Spanish for "beautiful province." 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 This included allegations of human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies. 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. Ocampo was prepared to testify against him, her attorney Fred Thiagarajah said. Are You Taking It? 2023-01-18T21:52:39.473Z, CDU politician Kiesewetter blames ex-defense minister Guttenberg for the decline of the Bundeswehr Most teachings translate into something quotidian. 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. 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 The latter was the leader of the La 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 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. The church has tried to cultivate a law-abiding, hard-working image in Mexico where it counts about 1.8 million followers. Earlier in 2020, a former La Luz Del Mundo church member, Sochil Martin, sued the church and its leaders. "The apostle always shows determination to move forward," said Phares Ruiz, who traveled from El Salvador to attend the Holy Supper. 13-year-old girl leads Nebraska troopers on 100-mph chase. Read Also Joseph Pikul, Murderer of Diane Pikul Now? In September of the same year, he reportedly addressed his congregation via a phone call behind bars. 2023-01-18T23:16:35.364Z, Department of Justice's "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Task Force" meets for the first time to set three work directions 2023-01-18T21:40:44.687Z, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo meet again: their numbers in the season 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. (RELATED: DOJ Opens Investigation Into Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse). He is the third apostle of the congregation after succeeding his father Samuel in power after his death on December 14, 2014. During services, the women sit to the right and men to the left. Todays conviction can never undo the harm, but it will help protect future generations. It accuses Joaqun Garca of conditioning victims, under the guise of religion, to serve him above all else, ultimately resulting in the sexual abuse over the course of several years. Ahead of the baptism, in a ritual known as "the revivals," children undergo days of prayer and fasting inside a temple. 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. All three individuals are associated with La Luz del Mundo. Check Out Here, Will You Get Another Stimulus Payment in 2023? 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. Aug. 21, 202200:24. "The church weaponized the faith of their most vulnerable members," said Jonati Joey Yedidsion, one of the lawyers handling the lawsuit. 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" The suit was filed by five women who - under the pseudonym Jane Doe - were identified as victims in the original criminal charges against him. 2023-01-18T22:10:55.924Z, General Motors introduces the first fast-accelerating electric Corvette Garca and Ocampo remain in custody. 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. Todays conviction is the result of a multiyear investigation and prosecution led by the California Department of Justice. She claimed facing decades of abuse at the hands of the leaders, including Naasn and his late father, Samuel Joaqun Flores. 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 investigation began in 2018, in part, because of information submitted to the California Department of Justice through the clergy abuse online complaint form. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On June 3, 2019, Naasn, Susana, and Alondra landed in a private jet at the Los Angeles International Airport, where they were arrested. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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