Mexican megachurch leader back in court in child rape case
Stefanie Dazio, Associated Press
Updated 11:26 pm CDT, Wednesday, September 18, 2019
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors will detail Thursday accusations of child rape and human trafficking against the leader of Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo.
Naason Joaquin Garcia, who is considered the church's apostle, and two co-defendants were arrested in June on suspicion of sexually abusing three girls and a woman in Los Angeles County. All three have pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court, and a fourth defendant remains at large.
Garcia is being held without bail after a historically high $50 million bail was set earlier in the case. His attorneys have raised concerns about potential evidence manipulation, as well as a theory of conspiracy, saying that a complaining witness has tried to frame their client.
The victims were allegedly told they would be going against God if they didn't acquiesce to Garcia and his sexual demands. Garcia heads up the international evangelical megachurch, which boasts 5 million followers — dozens of whom have attended his court proceedings.
More:
https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Mexican-megachurch-leader-back-in-court-in-child-14451344.php
= new reply since forum marked as read
