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[8], He was transferred to North Kern State Prison for evaluations to determine his placement within the prison system. The trial of Naason Joaquin Garcia, the head of La Luz del Mundo church who is charged with sexually abusing girls from his congregation, has been postponed to May. 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. Prosecutors have claimed that the alleged victims were told that if they went against Garcias desires they were going against God. 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. Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School will be the first new high school in the school district in about 16 years. Oral Copulation With a Minor (2 counts) Lewd Acts On A Child (1 count) Criminal penalty. Lobo baseball tops St. Bonaventure, raises its NCAA-leading batting Catcher Jake Holland hit two home runs and had five RBIs as the host New Mexico baseball team pounded 16 hits and downed St. SF native Bobby Beals opens gallery in Bishop's Lodge. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Glen Rosales / For the Journal Devoted dad of Jennifer D. Garcia, Suzanne Garcia and David Garcia. La Luz del Mundo is sometimes described as evangelical, but its members do not embrace this term. The first victim to testify during Garcias sentencing hearing in Los Angeles Wednesday morning told the court that, because of Garcia, she had suffered more trauma and pain than she could ever endure. Ella Wasserman-Smith (she/her) BAX Teaching Artist. Our goal is to have a winning season, be district champions and be competitive, and were always shooting for a state championship. Although the first hours are sold out, patrons may come to the opera's Stieren Hall from 3:30 Colorado State slices up Lobos; UNM is a 6 seed in league tourney, If it MUST be the NIT, UNM basketball has a plan, After bill was vetoed last year, lawmakers try again to boost pay of NM judges, Gun safe storage bill inches closer to governor's desk after winning Senate approval. Parents are urged to disown their children for not believing. Rhonda Schwartz and Brian Ross Jun 10th, 2022, 9:09 am. He leaves a legacy of commitment to educational equity for all students in the Palm Beach County schools, setting a service trajectory that the Hispanic Education Coalition will continue to pursue. To state prosecutors he is a child predator. Patricia Fusco, supervising deputy attorney general, tearfully praised the victims for their bravery in standing up to Garca and his followers who have rallied around him and shamed the young women. Large blue metal letter blocks spell out #INOCENTE on one end of a promenade painted with orange, gold and green stripes that leads to the church. Held in jail on $90-million bail, Garcia faces many charges including human trafficking, rape and forcible oral copulation of a minor, and possession of child pornography. Dr. Garca is survived by his husband of 40 years, Dr. Xavier Garca. Prosecutors said that the crimes dated back to at least 2015. A movie based on the book and Garca's life was announced in 2010, with actor Benicio del Toro cast to play the lead role and Steven Soderbergh, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher and John Henson as producers.[2]. He sat upright and looked straight ahead with this hands shackled at his waist as he followed along with the proceedings listening through ear phones to a Spanish interpreter. All she wanted, she said, was to tell the world who this man really is.. ", "I worshipped my abuser," said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. A judge had thrown out four counts of extortion and sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury for lack of evidence. He extended his advocacy efforts to other immigrant groups collaborating closely with the Guatemalan Maya Center, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, and various Haitian organizations in the community. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Mexican megachurch leader faces more than 16 years in prison for sex abuse, A day after powerful thunderstorms, North Texas surveys the damage, 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home; suspect in custody, How a Texas districts reaction to school shooting fears highlights discipline concerns, Carrollton man advertised pills on social media to entice teens to buy fentanyl, feds say. Garca, dressed in orange jail scrubs and wearing a surgical mask pulled under his glasses, didn't turn to face the women. "All this goes to show that although you are part of this world, you have accepted a very particular way of life because you are Christian," Snchez-Walsh said. "I think it changed for the better in the sense that now we feel more united, and we feel more empowered," she said. benefited both his football and later undercover careers. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. She joined the newsroom in 2018 and spent several years working on the criminal justice team. He's known to church members as Aarn - a result, he said, of God asking him to change his name. 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. He is accused of making the girls touch each other sexually, having pictures taken, and rape. "Being called an apostate was the worst of the worst and you would go to hell no matter what," said Jane Doe 2, who cried throughout her statement. Alondra Ocampo, 38, and Susana Medina Oaxaca, 26, were accused of pressuring girls to engage in sexual activity with Garcia and telling them they would be violating Gods wishes if they resisted. The church, which is also known as the Light of the World, said in a statement that Garca pleaded guilty because he didn't think he could get a fair trial after prosecutors withheld or doctored evidence. The case has been difficult for some former members who have distanced themselves from the church. Prosecutors told the judge that that they did not oppose postponing the trial to give the defense more time to prepare, but disputed that Garcias rights would be violated if witnesses wore masks. Joaqun Garca, 53, was arrested in 2019 in California. 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. We plan on sharing the ball and spreading the ball around. Hes such a good man, she said. Santa Fe native Bobby Beals has been in the art consultation business for 20 years. The 50-year-old is originally from Los Angeles and took over leadership of the church from his grandfather. Beloved husband of 38 years to Miriam V. Garcia. Its doctrine has spawned dissent. Some of their own family members didn't believe them. "It has been a very difficult issue, of course, for him and for us," she added. [12]. Such letters remind members that Garcia hasnt forgotten them. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Ocampo pleaded guilty to three felony counts of contact with a minor for the purposes of committing a sexual offense and one count of forcible sexual penetration two years ago. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. He received full football scholarships and played at West Texas State University, Westchester Community College and at the University of Richmond where he subsequently graduated in May 1975. Joaqun "Jack" Garca (born 1952) is a Cuban-American retired FBI agent, best known for his undercover work infiltrating the Gambino crime family in New York City. They said they were called angels and told they were Garca's property and that his wishes were godly commands and they should serve the Lord without question. He was a man of great conscience and was active in many community endeavors in Palm Beach . Founded in Guadalajara, Mexico the fundamentalist church claims 1 million followers and a growing ministry. Garcias defense lawyers argued they needed time to review more than 1,600 pages of material they said state prosecutors recently handed over to them. I was there for four years, Garcia said. All the apostles have suffered, and their crime was preaching.. Garca played his undercover role so convincingly that Gregory DePalma, a high-ranking Gambino family capo, offered him the position of made man. Prosecutors asked for the high bail amount because they noted the church has plenty of money and international ties. The plea, the church said, would allow him to minimize his prison sentence in order to regain his freedom., Calling him the Apostle of Jesus Christ, the church said Garcia 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., Garcia, the statement said, will continue ministering to the church. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. The book became a New York Times Bestseller. She actively recruited and groomed girls for him, Thiagarajah said. Garca has also worked undercover against Russian and Asian organized crime groups. 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. The third result is Joaquin Garcia age -- in Los Angeles, CA in the West Adams neighborhood. 16 years, 8 months. Bible verses were twisted to make them comply. Many lifted their fists. Damian Dovarganes / AP Facebook gives people the power. This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 01:49. In the end, the FBI produced sufficient evidence to convict DePalma at trial while the others defendants took plea deals. Joaqun "Jack" Garca (born 1952) is a Cuban-American retired FBI agent, best known for his undercover work infiltrating the Gambino crime family in New York City. Three women Alondra Ocampo, Susana Medina Oaxaca and Azalea Rangel Melendez had been accused of facilitating Garcias crimes. Naasn Joaqun Garca leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. Coaching with (St. Michaels coach Joey Fernandez), thats one thing I learned. Id always been taught that we couldnt refuse his desires, she said, describing how other church members convinced her she was lucky to receive his blessing.. La Luz del Mundo, founded in 1926 by Garcias grandfather, has aggressively defended Garcia since his arrest. The state attorney general is expected to make a public appeal for more alleged victims to come forward. At this time, no obituary description has been created for Joaquin Juan "Sonny" Garcia Published by Perches Funeral Home-Lower Valley on Oct. 1, 2022. Garca pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. "For us everything is very nice, everything continues to work," she said. September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM Their spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Another neighborhood resident, Sailem Castillo, also said she was upbeat despite Joaqun Garca's imprisonment. Prosecutors alleged they groomed his victims to acquiesce to the abuse and discouraged them from reporting it. "He speaks for God," said Ashley Valdez, a . And, like every coach in the state, I want them to be successful on the field. 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Well be here waiting for him. Many believe he was sent by God to preach to them and are convinced he is innocent, despite his guilty plea. American Airlines, flight attendants file for mediation during contract negotiations, New Uptown office tower lands second major lease, Years after North Texas bid for Amazons second headquarters, retail giant halts plan, Mesquite to become the site of new 2,500-home community, North Texas builders see influx of activity in new year, but challenges persist, Mark Wahlberg pours tequila for fans at Dallas restaurant during thunderstorm, Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving tandem clicks with joint 40-point displays in Mavs win vs. 76ers, The Cowboys are closer than you think to a total makeover at running back, Dallas Cowboys focused on adding another dynamic offensive weapon, 12 Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants that have closed in 2023, Jerry LeVias remembers triumphs and struggles at SMU in event at The News. Joaqun Garca was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. The neighborhood has cafeterias, clinics, a recreation center and a store that sells Bibles and religious-themed games for children. They had once been his most devoted servants. Naasn Joaqun Garca is considered the "apostle" of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers. Understanding the structure and function of the oropharynx is paramount for providing excellent patient care in the setting of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up, Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan forgiveness. "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.". I feel that this plea allows him to escape the true consequences of his actions, she said. His family fled to the United States to escape Fidel Castro's regime when he was nine years old. ", First published on September 19, 2022 / 8:20 AM. Sara Pozos, 49, is among many in the neighborhood who believe their leader's imprisonment has strengthened the church. Incumbent Mike Garcia (R) and Christy Smith (D) advanced from a seven-candidate top-two primary for California's 27th Congressional District on June 7, 2022. Dozens of followers sat on the pavement outside the church and on lawn chairs they brought with them. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, Megachurch leader gets over 16 years for abuse, Mexican megachurch leader gets over 16 years in prison for sexual abuse. This is where Garcia grew up and where church members began to settle in the 1950s under La Luz del Mundos first apostle, Garcias grandfather. The kids showing up so far are excited. There are dozens of congregations in Southern California. Garcia and Smith will run in the general . A fourth defendant, Azalea Rangel Melendez, who was previously charged with rape, is still at-large. His greatest passion was the Hispanic Education Coalition of Palm Beach County (HEC). Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz Del Mundo, is charged with raping young members of his church. All rights reserved. See the peer-reviewed findings I have published as a result of my research. 2019 photo during La Luz del Mundo churchs Dominical Worship in the Templo Sede Internacional (flagship temple) in colonia Hermosa Provincia in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader and self-styled apostle of the Guadalajara-based church La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World), pleaded guilty last Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation . Betzabe Ramirez Herrera, a 33-year-old church member, said that after the plea deal was announced, Catholic relatives had asked her family members if they would leave the church. Leila Miller is a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times based in Mexico City. [1], Joaqun Garca was born on May 7, 1969 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, the fifth of seven children to Samuel Joaqun Flores and Eva Garca. "It is a fantasy seemingly invented out of whole cloth," defense attorney Alan Jackson wrote in a court filing. La visita del Papa Francisco a Chile impuls un proceso de reflexin al interior de la Iglesia catlica que contina en pleno desarrollo. He is the one who like the apostles were established by Jesus Christ to be where they are to direct the church of God.".