Mexico megachurch leader Garcia sentenced on sex assault charges

Naasón Joaquín García, 53, the head of a Mexico megachurch, La Luz the Mundo (The Light of the World), was sentenced to almost 17 years in prison for sexual assault.

Garcia will be behind bars for 16 years and 8 months. The shortened sence was a result of him pleading guilty to 3 counts of sexual abuse in a plea deal days before a court appearance. The victims were members of his congregation.

The faith leader was jailed in June 2019 on accusations of human trafficking and child rape. Along with his cohorts Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo he was arrested upon arrival to the Los Angeles airport in a private jet. Toether they had been charged with 29 felony counts.

Oaxaca received 1 year of probation addeded to time served and was convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury. She is on house arrest, and must receive six months of psychiatric counseling.

Ocampo pleased uilty to sexual cntact with a minor in 2020.

Garcia's ministry boasted that they ahve baptised 5 million followers. Prosecutors say he told young girls in his church to have sex and if they were disobeyin God. He also compared himself to being a king and justified having a harem.

The pastor will be required to register as a sex offender for life, according to a statement Wednesday from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The church is behind their leader saying he was set up.