Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Criminal Rape Case Against La Luz Del Mundo’s ‘Apostle’ Dismissed
This picture taken on August 9, 2017 shows the leader of the Church of the Light of the World, Naason Joaquin Garcia, walking among his parishioners in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Ulises Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images
()
The criminal case against a Mexican megachurch leader on charges of child rape and human trafficking was dismissed today on procedural grounds by a California appeals court.
Naasón Joaquín García, the self-proclaimed “apostle” of La Luz del Mundo, or The Light of the World Church, has been in custody since June.
He was arrested based on accusations made by three girls and one woman in Los Angeles County who told California’s Department of Justice they were abused by Garcia between 2015 and 2018. The California Attorney General’s office claimed Garcia used his power as the leader of the Light of the World Church to cooerce teenage girls into sex acts.
But the appeals court ruled that because García's preliminary hearing was not held in a timely manner, the complaint filed against him must be dismissed.
Support for LAist comes from
“This is a good day for justice,” said Alan Jackson, Garcia’s lead attorney. “This is a long overdue recognition that the government has violated Mr. Garcia’s constitutional right to a speedy trial and reasonable bond.”
Throughout the pre-trial proceedings, Garcia has denied wrongdoing. He has also remained the spiritual leader of La Luz Del Mundo, with full backing from church officials. La Luz Del Mundo is estimated to have as many as 5 million members around the globe, and dozens of temples here in Southern California.
Garcia is currently being held without bail in Los Angeles. It is not clear when he will be released.
Garcia has three co-defendants in his criminal case, but it’s unclear if their cases will also be tossed out.
In February, a former church member from Los Angeles filed a federal civil lawsuit against the church and García, accusing Garcia and his father of manipulating and sexually abusing her for years.
Martin’s attorney, Deborah Mallgrave, says Tuesday’s court opinion addresses a procedural technicality, but doesn’t judge Garcia’s guilt or innocence.
“It does nothing to change the fact that for years, as the leader of the La Luz del Mundo, he sexually, physically and emotionally abused hundreds of minors and adults,” Mallgrave said
Support for LAist comes from
The California Attorney General's office did not respond to KPCC’s request for comment.
- La Luz Del Mundo's 'Apostle' Faces Sexual Abuse Charges. Why That Has Rattled Many In LA
- Former La Luz Del Mundo Member Alleges The Church Ran Child Sex Slavery Ring
This story will be updated.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist