US EditionLa Luz del Mundo Megachurch Leader Indicted in New York on Federal Racketeering, Sex Trafficking Charges
- 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.
95 Articles
95 Articles
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Seo Hye-rim = The leader of a Mexican megachurch who is serving a prison sentence in the U.S. on charges of sexual abuse of a minor has been charged with human trafficking and sexual exploitation...
Mexican Megachurch Leader Indicted for Sex Trafficking
The longtime head of a Mexican megachurch who is serving more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing young followers has been charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking for allegedly victimizing members of the church for decades, authorities ...
Family of Naasón Joaquín García, leader of La Luz del Mundo, charged with sex trafficking
Naasón Joaquín García, the leader of a Guadalajara-based church who in 2022 was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for sexually abusing three girls in California, has been indicted on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges in the United States. Joaquín García, the 56-year-old leader or “apostle” of the La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World) church, and five other people, including Joaquín’s mother, are charged with running “a…
TVA Nouvelles
24heures.caSeveral leaders of the mega religious organization La Luz Del Mundo were accused on Wednesday of various sexual crimes in New York State.
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.…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
