Current:Home > StocksTradeEdge-Imprisoned ‘apostle’ of Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo charged with federal child pornography -ProfitSphere Academy
TradeEdge-Imprisoned ‘apostle’ of Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo charged with federal child pornography
NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 14:41:09
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The TradeEdgehead of a Mexican megachurch who is serving more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing young followers was charged Wednesday with two federal crimes involving a 16-year-old girl, prosecutors said.
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted Naasón Joaquín García, 54, on two charges of possessing and producing child pornography, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
When he was arrested in California in 2019, Garcia had an iPad that contained five videos depicting the then-teenaged girl engaging in sexual activity, the statement said.
It didn’t indicate why it took so long to file federal charges.
Garcia 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.
But prosecutors in California say Garcia 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.
An email seeking comment from the church on the new federal charges wasn’t immediately returned Wednesday.
Garcia currently is serving a prison sentence at the California Institution for Men in Chino. Last year, he pleaded guilty to two state counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15.
In exchange, California prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography.
At the time, the church said that García pleaded guilty because he didn’t think he could get a fair trial after prosecutors withheld or doctored evidence and the agreement would allow him to be freed sooner.
Victims who spoke at Garcia’s trial objected to the plea deal, saying it was too lenient.
If convicted of the federal charges, Garcia would face 15 to 30 years in federal prison for producing child pornography and up to 10 years in prison for possessing it. A judge would decide whether he served the time concurrently or in addition to his state sentence, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
veryGood! (71)
Related
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Jobs report: Unemployment rise may mean recession, rule says, but likely not this time
- World record watch? USA hurdler Grant Holloway seeks redemption in Paris
- Nebraska, Ohio State, Alabama raise NIL funds at football practice through fan admission, autographs
- Trump's 'stop
- Surfer Carissa Moore says she has no regrets about Olympic plan that ends without medal
- What is Brat Summer? Charli XCX’s Feral Summer Aesthetic Explained
- BMX racer Kye White leaves on stretcher after Olympic crash
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Chase Budinger credits former NBA teammate for approach to Olympic beach volleyball
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Olympian Madeline Musselman Details Husband’s Support Amid His Stage 4 Lung Cancer Diagnosis
- 'Depraved monster': Ex-FBI agent, Alabama cop sentenced to life in child sex-abuse case
- AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Missouri’s state primaries
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- 6 people, including 4 children, killed in 2-vehicle crash in Mississippi
- AP Week in Pictures: Global
- Airline passenger gets 19-month sentence. US says he tried to enter cockpit and open an exit door
Recommendation
The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
Every M. Night Shyamalan movie (including 'Trap'), ranked from worst to best
Increasing wind and heat plus risk of thunderstorms expected in fight against California wildfire
Jobs report: Unemployment rise may mean recession, rule says, but likely not this time
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
Paris Olympics opened with opulence and keeps going with Louis Vuitton, Dior, celebrities
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Michigan’s state primaries
17-Year-Old Boy Charged With Murder of 3 Kids After Stabbing at Taylor Swift-Themed Event in England