Church Leader Charged with Child Rape and Human Trafficking in the US

By Philip Phi Posted Aug 13, 2026 at 6:55 AM

In a recent development, Naasón Joaquín García, leader of the international religious organization La Luz del Mundo, has been charged with serious offenses in the United States. García, known among his followers as “the Apostle,” was arrested upon arrival at Los Angeles airport. Alongside García, three female co-defendants face a total of 26 charges, including human trafficking, child rape, and the production of child sex abuse images. These allegations span from 2015 to 2018 and involve coercing underage girls into performing sex acts under the guise of religious obedience.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra emphasized the severity of the charges, stating, “Crimes like those alleged have no place in our society. Period.” He further highlighted the importance of addressing sexual violence and trafficking, underscoring that such acts cannot be ignored. The defendants, including Alondra Ocampo, Azalea Rangel Meléndez, and Susana Medina Oaxaca, are all affiliated with La Luz del Mundo, an organization with over a million followers globally, headquartered in Mexico.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, a statement from the organization has expressed a categorical rejection of the allegations against García. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to Christian values, emphasizing the rejection of any conduct that violates human dignity. This case brings to light the critical need for accountability within religious leadership, echoing the biblical call to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

As this legal process unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the vulnerable and ensuring that justice is served. The community is urged to support victims and uphold the principles of truth and mercy, reflecting the biblical mandate to care for one’s neighbor and seek justice for the oppressed (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Source: Read the original report

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Philip Phi

Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.

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