Josh Weiner
Claimed to have millions of believers around the world, the Mexican-based church Light of the World, church leader Naasón Joaquín García was arrested in the United States on Wednesday (5th) and was charged by the authorities. 26 felony crimes such as trafficking in persons, child pornography and sexual behaviour with underage girls. The church and the subsequent statement stated that it is believed that Garcia would prove to be innocent.
Forcing sexual activity with “God’s will”
Garcia, 50, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday (3rd). The case was that Garcia and three women were convicted of 26 counts between 2015 and 2018. Two of them were arrested on the same day and one was still at large.
The indictment refers to Garcia calling himself “the apostle of God” and with the accused in the case forcing her to have sex with him. If she is rejected, she will accuse the other party of violating God’s will. The victim included at least three underage girls and one adult woman who were raped and forced to cross-sex.
Garcia was accused of forcing a group of underage believers to perform “sexy dances” in September 2017, and to give them a sexual speech.
Church spokesperson: He is a good person
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said that after receiving a complaint about ill-treatment of clergy, the authorities launched an investigation into Garcia in 2018 and stressed that the authorities could not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and human trafficking.
“Light of the World” is a Christian school founded by Garcia’s grandfather in 1926. Its influence has spread to the United States in recent years, especially in the Hispanic population of California. The church spokesperson stressed that Garcia is a good person who will help women and children in need and believe that the allegations are embarrassing.
