New York (AP) – Long-time Mexican Megachurch serving Over 16 years In a California prison, a prison for abusing young followers, the agency said Wednesday that it was accused of conspiracy and sex trafficking for allegedly sacrificing church members for decades.
The Federal Jury in New York has returned a charge that allegedly Nason Joaquin Garcia, 56, exploited the church for decades, and decades to allow systematic sexual abuse of children and women due to the sexual satisfaction of Garcia and his father, who died in 2014.
The new, unsealed indictment said the criminal activity included the creation of photos and videos of child sexual abuse.
Garcia gained federal custody early Wednesday in Chino, California, and is sentenced to more than 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to two state counts in 2022.
His attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Garcia is Head of Larz del Mundo (Light of the World) claims to have 5 million followers worldwide. The believers consider him to be the “angel” of Jesus Christ.
California prosecutors say they used his spiritual shaking to cause damage to have sex with a girl or young woman who was said to lead to their salvation, or if they refused.
In addition to Garcia, one defendant charged in the suit was taken into custody in Los Angeles and another was arrested in Chicago, authorities said. The other three were large.
Two of the accused and others tried to destroy evidence after Garcia was arrested and prevent victims of sexual abuse from speaking to law enforcement.
They said that all sexual abuse victims were lying and reinforced by lying and saying that suspecting the apostle was a crime punishable by eternal damage, and pressured the victims to sign a false declaration denying that the abuse had been drafted, compensated and compensated.
In the release, US lawyer Jay Clayton said Garcia and others “exploited the faith of their followers to prey on them.”
He added: “When they faced them, they harnessed their religious influence and financial strength to threaten and force victims, leaving them silent about the abuse they were suffering.”
Ricky J. Patel, head of the New York Homeland Security Investigation, said the charges stem from “a long-standing investigation that spans the country and involves support of dozens of courageous victims.”
