Megachurch leader pleads not guilty to sex trafficking charges

September 24, 2025

Naasón Joaquín García, leader of evangelical megachurch La Luz del Mundo, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges in New York while already serving a 16-year sentence for sexually abusing girls from his congregation in California. According to a newly unsealed indictment, García, his mother, and four associates allegedly used the church to traffic women and children to the US, with prosecutors claiming they exploited followers' faith and followed a disturbing tradition established by García's father and grandfather. Despite these allegations, which include sex trafficking, child pornography, forced labor, and financial crimes, church officials have denied all charges, calling them "unfounded, untrue and slanderous.

Who is affected

Women and children allegedly trafficked by García and his associates
Followers and members of La Luz del Mundo church
Victims who were reportedly intimidated and coerced into silence
Hispanic communities in California with strong church influence
García's mother and four associates who are co-defendants in the case

What action is being taken

Naasón Joaquín García is pleading not guilty to the sex trafficking charges in New York
US prosecutors are pursuing charges of sex trafficking, child pornography, forced labor, and unlawful financial dealings against García and five other defendants
García is currently serving a 16-year sentence in California for sexually abusing girls
The US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York has made public the indictment against the defendants
La Luz del Mundo church is publicly defending García and other defendants by denouncing the allegations as false

Why it matters

The case involves alleged systematic abuse within a major religious organization that claims millions of followers worldwide
It suggests a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning three generations of church leadership
Many followers continue to view García as "the Apostle of Jesus Christ" despite his previous guilty plea
The allegations indicate religious authority was allegedly used to facilitate abuse and silence victims
The church has significant influence in Hispanic communities in California and internationally
The case represents potential exploitation of religious faith and power to commit serious crimes

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC