Topic - Joaquín García

Related Stories

FILE - In this Monday, July 15, 2019 file photo, Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership, attends a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court. On Tuesday, April 7, 2020 a California appeals court has dismissed the criminal case against the Mexican megachurch leader on charges of child rape and human trafficking. The case was dismissed on procedural grounds. García, the self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz del Mundo, has been in custody since June. He is currently being held without bail in Los Angeles. The attorney general's office said it was reviewing the court's ruling. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, File)

Court drops rape, other charges against megachurch leader

By STEFANIE DAZIO - Associated Press

Sochil Martin, center, with lawyers Jeff Anderson, left, and Deborah Mallgrave, speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Martin has filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the leaders of Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo sexually abused her since she was 12 years old. (AP Photo/Stefanie Dazio)

Lawsuit: Mexican megachurch leaders abused woman for years

By STEFANIE DAZIO - Associated Press

Naason Joaquin Garcia appears in court in Los Angels on Monday, June 10, 2019. Prosecutors in a case against the leader of Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo and two followers charged with child rape and human trafficking said they have &quot;significant concerns&quot; the church's followers could harass or intimidate victims and potential witnesses. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

Judge continues $50M bail for Mexican megachurch leader

By STEFANIE DAZIO - Associated Press

Naason Joaquin Garcia appears in court in Los Angels on Monday, June 10, 2019. Prosecutors in a case against the leader of Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo and two followers charged with child rape and human trafficking said they have &quot;significant concerns&quot; the church's followers could harass or intimidate victims and potential witnesses. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

Latest: Judge continues huge bail for megachurch leader

Associated Press

The exterior of a La Luz del Mundo church branch is seen Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Los Angeles. California's top prosecutor said Thursday that he believes there are more victims of child sex abuse than those listed in charges against the leader of Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo and several followers. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Lawyers for church leader decry Becerra’s comments on client

By STEFANIE DAZIO - Associated Press

ADDS FIRST NAME OF MAN CHARGED - FILE - In this March 5, 2019 file photo, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra speaks during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif. Becerra announced on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 that California authorities charged Naasón Joaquín García, the leader and self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz del Mundo, a Mexico-based church with branches in the U.S. claiming more than 1 million followers, with child rape, human trafficking and producing child pornography in Southern California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

The Latest: Church followers say leader is innocent

Associated Press

ADDS FIRST NAME OF MAN CHARGED - FILE - In this March 5, 2019 file photo, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra speaks during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif. Becerra announced on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 that California authorities charged Naasón Joaquín García, the leader and self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz del Mundo, a Mexico-based church with branches in the U.S. claiming more than 1 million followers, with child rape, human trafficking and producing child pornography in Southern California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Prosecutor: More sex abuse victims in Mexican church likely

By STEFANIE DAZIO and JOHN ANTCZAK - Associated Press

ADDS FIRST NAME - In this Aug. 14, 2018 photo, Naasón Joaquín García greets members of his church &quot;La Luz del Mundo&quot; in Guadalajara, Mexico. Garcia, the leader and self-proclaimed apostle of the controversial church that claims over 1 million followers, has been charged with human trafficking and child rape, California authorities said on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (AP Photo)

The Latest: Lawyer blasts $50 million bail for church leader

Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2009 file photo, worshippers raise their hands at La Luz Del Mundo, &quot;Light of the World, Restoration of the Primitive Christian Church,&quot; during the Holy Dinner celebration, one of the principal religious events of The Light of the World church at the Hermosa Provincia Temple in Guadalajara, Mexico. California authorities have charged the leader and self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz Del Mundo (The Light of the World), a church based in Mexico that claims over 1 million followers, with child rape. Becerra on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 announced that Joaquin Garcia has been arrested and charged with committing 26 felonies in Southern California between 2015 and 2018. The charges also include human trafficking and producing child pornography. (AP Photo/Carlos Jasso, File)

Mexican church leader still its ‘apostle’ after rape arrest

By MARK STEVENSON and STEFANIE DAZIO - Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2009 file photo, worshippers raise their hands at La Luz Del Mundo, &quot;Light of the World, Restoration of the Primitive Christian Church,&quot; during the Holy Dinner celebration, one of the principal religious events of The Light of the World church at the Hermosa Provincia Temple in Guadalajara, Mexico. California authorities have charged the leader and self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz Del Mundo (The Light of the World), a church based in Mexico that claims over 1 million followers, with child rape. Becerra on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 announced that Joaquin Garcia has been arrested and charged with committing 26 felonies in Southern California between 2015 and 2018. The charges also include human trafficking and producing child pornography. (AP Photo/Carlos Jasso, File)

Leader of La Luz del Mundo charged with child rape

By STEFANIE DAZIO and MARIA VERZA - Associated Press