• Naasón Joaquín García, leader of La Luz del Mundo, faces federal indictments for sex trafficking.
• García is already serving over 16 years in California for sexual abuse.
• The indictment details systemic abuse involving children and women for decades.
• Five alleged co-conspirators, including his mother, are also charged.
• Charges followed a years-long investigation involving numerous victims.

Naasón Joaquín García, the head of the Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo, was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in New York, where he faces counts that include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Previously, he was sentenced to over 16 years in a California prison after pleading guilty to state-level charges of sexually abusing three young girls. The indictment points to a disturbing pattern spanning decades of exploitation involving women and children within the church, according to latimes, cbsnews, and reuters.

According to the unsealed indictment, García allegedly used his religious authority to manipulate young followers, telling them that engaging in sexual activities with him would lead to spiritual salvation, or else result in eternal damnation if they refused. His tactics not only fostered a culture of silence but also included the production of child pornography and attempts to obstruct justice by destroying evidence related to his crimes and intimidating victims, as detailed in the indictment found in reports from latimes, cbsnews, and reuters.

García's indictments also implicate five others, including his mother, for their roles in sustaining this abusive system. The indictment further alleges that congregants were pressured to sign false declarations denying any abuse occurred and were coerced into silence under the threat of damnation, according to the statements shared by the U.S. Attorney's office and reported by latimes, cbsnews, and reuters.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized that García and his co-defendants exploited the faith of their followers, coercing them into remaining silent about the abuses. The ongoing investigation has brought to light the courage of numerous victims who have come forward, shedding light on the extensive nature of the allegations against García and his associates, as noted in commentary from latimes, cbsnews, and reuters.