Mexico: Leader of La Luz del Mundo, Naason Joaquin Garcia, Faces Federal Crime Charges

The leader of a prominent Mexico megachurch, currently serving a prison sentence of over 16 years in a California prison after sexually abusing young followers, is now facing additional federal charges related to a 16-year-old girl, as announced by prosecutors.

Naason Joaquin Garcia, 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles on two charges: possession and production of child pornography, according to a statement from the US attorney's office, AP reports.

The indictment is the result of the discovery that, at the time of his 2019 arrest in California, Garcia was in possession of an iPad containing five videos depicting the then-teenaged girl engaged in sexual activity.

The US attorney's office clarified that they had refrained from indicting Garcia until after the conclusion of the state case.

The leader of La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World), the Mexico megachurch boasting 5 million followers worldwide, is often considered the "apostle" of Jesus Christ by its adherents.

However, prosecutors in California assert that Garcia exploited his spiritual influence to engage in sexual relations with girls and young women, who were told that compliance would secure their salvation while refusal would result in damnation.

Mexico Megachurch Leader Pleads Guilty to Several Charges Last Year

Garcia is currently incarcerated at the California Institution for Men in Chino after pleading guilty to two state charges of forcible oral copulation with minors and one count of a lewd act involving a 15-year-old child.

In exchange, California prosecutors dropped 16 additional counts, including allegations of child and women rape, as well as human trafficking for the production of child pornography, according to NBC 4.

The church defended Garcia's guilty plea, contending that he believed he would not receive a fair trial due to alleged evidence withholding and tampering by prosecutors and that the agreement would expedite his release.

However, victims who spoke at Garcia's trial objected to the plea deal, deeming it too lenient.

In the event of a conviction on the federal charges, Garcia could face 15 to 30 years in federal prison for child pornography production and up to 10 years for its possession.

The determination of whether these sentences would run concurrently or consecutively with his state sentence would rest with a judge, according to the US attorney's office.

La Luz del Mundo and Naason Joaquin Garcia

Previously, Naason Joaquin Garcia served as a pastor of a Protestant church in Santa Ana before taking over the leadership of La Luz del Mundo in Mexico in 2014, per US Today News.

The church, founded in 1926, has adherents across approximately 50 countries globally.

Despite his state court guilty plea, Garcia enjoys widespread support within the church, with his supporters viewing the case as an effort to besmirch his reputation and vowing to continue backing him during his incarceration.

Garcia reached out to church members by phone from prison in September, stating, "He didn't see the bars that separate me from you."

While Naason Joaquin Garcia's plea agreement stirred controversy and disappointment among some alleged survivors of church sexual abuse, prosecutors welcomed the outcome.

Concerns were raised regarding its perceived leniency and the potential chilling effect it could have on other victims who might hesitate to report assaults after witnessing the intimidation and harassment of those who came forward.

A documentary series released last year scrutinized the Mexico megachurch's history and influence, featuring interviews with former members who recounted years of abuse by La Luz del Mundo's leaders.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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