"A federal grand jury in New York returned the indictment alleging that Naasón Joaquín García, 56, and five others exploited the church for decades to enable the systemic sexual abuse of children and women for the sexual gratification of García and his father, who died in 2014. The newly unsealed indictment said the criminal activity included the creation of photos and videos of child sexual abuse. García was taken into federal custody early Wednesday in Chino, California, where he is serving a more than 16-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2022 to two state counts."
"García is the head of La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World), which claims to have 5 million followers worldwide. Believers consider him to be the "apostle" of Jesus Christ. Prosecutors in California have said that he used his spiritual sway to have sex with girls and young women who were told it would lead to their salvation - or damnation if they refused."
Naasón Joaquín García, longtime leader of La Luz del Mundo, faces a federal indictment charging racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking for alleged decades-long exploitation of church members. The indictment alleges García and five others enabled systemic sexual abuse of children and women for the sexual gratification of García and his father and included creation of photos and videos of child sexual abuse. García is serving more than 16 years in a California prison after pleading guilty in 2022 to two state counts and was taken into federal custody in Chino. Two defendants were arrested while three remain at large and prosecutors say some defendants tried to destroy evidence and prevent or pressure victims from speaking to law enforcement.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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