Naasón Joaquín García

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Naasón Merarí Joaquín García (born on May 7, 1969) is a Mexican religious leader who is the third leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, succeeding his father, Samuel Joaquín Flores, in December 2014.^[1]

Early life[]

Joaquín García was born on May 7, 1969 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, the fifth of seven children to Samuel Joaquín Flores and Eva García.^[2]

Career[]

Before becoming the head of the La Luz del Mundo at 45, he was (most recently) a minister for the group in Santa Ana, California, and previously served as minister for other of the group’s congregations in cities throughout California and Arizona.^[2]

Arrest and legal proceedings[]

On June 3, 2019, Joaquín García was arrested and charged by prosecutors from Los Angeles County with sexual abuse charges involving minors.^[3][4][5] As of January 2020, he was still being held without bail pending trial.^[6] According to Religion News Service, "Church members have maintained his innocence."^[7]

On April 7, 2020, a California appeals court ruled that the charges against Joaquín García should be dismissed because delays in scheduling his preliminary hearing had constituted a violation of his right to a speedy trial. The state Attorney General's office issued this statement: "To be clear the case is still pending. The appellate decision is not final for 30 days from when it was issued and the defendant is still in custody."^[8]

Three dozen felony charges against Joaquín García were refiled on July 28, 2020, including child rape and human trafficking. Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also charged. Joaquín García was held on $50 million bail, Ocampo on $25 million, and Oaxaca remained free on bail. A fourth defendant, Azalea Rangel Melendez, who was previously charged with rape, is still at-large. Also, a February federal lawsuit against the church and Joaquín García that alleges that Joaquín García and his father sexually abused a Southern California woman regularly from the time she was twelve until she was eighteen is still pending.^[9] On August 19, 2020 Joaquín García was charged with 36 felony offences.^[10]

Personal life[]

He is married to Alma Zamora and they have three children.^[11]

References[]

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