US EditionLongtime head of Mexican megachurch is indicted in New York on federal sex trafficking charges
Naas�n Joaqu�n Garc�a and five others face federal charges for exploiting their church's influence to enable systemic sexual abuse, with investigations spanning years and involving numerous victims.
- On Wednesday, authorities in New York indicted Naasón Joaquín García, 56, longtime head of the Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo, on federal racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
- The indictment followed a yearslong investigation across the United States involving dozens of victims who accused García and others of exploiting the church for systemic sexual abuse spanning decades.
- García, who is currently incarcerated in California with a sentence exceeding 16 years for abusing underage members of his congregation, allegedly exploited his role as the self-proclaimed apostle to manipulate girls and women by promising spiritual salvation or threatening eternal punishment.
- U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton explained that when confronted, the defendants abused their religious authority and financial resources to pressure victims into silence regarding the abuse they endured, while also attempting to destroy evidence and suppress the victims’ voices.
- The charges and arrests of García and five others imply continued legal action against the church's leadership and highlight the ongoing dismantling of a network accused of extensive abuse and obstruction.
63 Articles
63 Articles
Mexican megachurch leader indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in New York
A megachurch leader has been federally charged for allegedly victimizing members of the Mexico-based church for decades, authorities announced Wednesday. Naasón Joaquín García, 56, is already serving more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing young followers. The federal charges against him include counts of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, the U.S. Attorney for New York’s southern district said in a news release.…
On September 10, 2025, a federal grand jury in New York declassified charges against Naasón Joaquín García and leaders of La Luz del Mundo for child sex trafficking and conspiracy.Garcia manipulated the doctrine of La Luz del Mundo to sexually exploit minors, using threats of eternal damnation.Dozens of survivors broke the silence, exposing decades of abuses and triggering an unprecedented federal investigation.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
OC RegisterMexican megachurch leader, already in Chino prison, charged with racketeering, sex trafficking
Naasón Joaquín García, 56, was taken into federal custody early Wednesday at the California Institute for Men, where he is serving a more than 16-year sentence.
Reforma
eldiariodechihuahua.mxNaas n Joaqun Garc a, the der of the Church The Light of the World, was charged with federal charges of sex trafficking in New York.
Naasón Joaquín García, leader of Luz del Mundo Church, who is more than 16 years old in a California prison for sexual abuse of young followers, was charged with conspiracy of organized crime and sex trafficking for allegedly victimizing church members for decades, authorities reported on Wednesday.A federal investigative jury in New York issued an indictment against 56-year-old Naasón Joaquín García and five other people, who he pointed out to …
Naasón Joaquín García, leader of the Church The Light of the World faces more charges for sexual, financial and criminal conduct
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