When he began the investigation by the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic of Mexico (FGR) for alleged sexual abuse of minors within the church the Light of the World, two federal police officers disguised as tourists to enter the congregation’s headquarters in Guadalajara, talk to members, photograph their facilities, and try to locate a woman who claims to have been a “sex slave” of the congregation leader Naason Joaquín García, according to the court file the copy was obtained by Univision News.
The covert operation was carried out by two officers of the defunct Mexican Federal Police on September 3 and 4, 2019. In order not to arouse suspicion, officers entered as part of the tourist tours that the church was then conducting to show its colony Beautiful Province, its majestic temple (one of the tallest in Latin America), as well as the customs of the faithful. Visitors arrived in two-level trucks and were greeted by guides from The Light of the World.
A 60-year-old faithful attended to undercover police officers. She told them that her job was to preach the gospel by receiving tourists at the entrance of her temple and explained to them that the congregation had a presence in 60 countries. “He said that the church, for its operation, has a hierarchical structure between maidens, workers, pastors, ministers and as the highest figure in this structure is the ‘Apostle’ Naason Joaquín García, who said in his own words ‘he is the representative of God on Earth’, ”describes the report prepared by Federal Police officers.
The schedules of church prayers, the strategy to expand worship around the world, the attire required of women (long skirt and covering one’s head with a shawl) and why they build temples ostentatious (because thus “the greatness and magnificence of God is manifested”), are other details drafted by the agents.
“Because in the tithe he said he could not talk about the issue, as this money does not belong to them,” the document states, exposing how the police tried to investigate as much as possible about the church.
At the time, Naason Joaquín García had been detained in Los Angeles, California for just over a month, facing multiple charges of child sexual abuse, human trafficking, sexual rape and child pornography. He has pleaded not guilty.
The start of his trial is scheduled for the next one September 27, but his defense attorneys have again requested that it be postponed to an as yet undefined date, Elizabeth Martinez, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Superior Court, told the media. This Friday a judge will make a decision in this regard. Postponing the trial has been a constant strategy of the defense. The California Attorney’s Office said in a brief statement that it had not yet taken the date change for granted.
Through a letter that was read in the temples this Sunday, Joaquín García asked his faithful pray for the judges who analyze the case, he charged against his “enemies” and acknowledged that some parishioners have abandoned The Light of the World, although he claimed that others have returned to repentance. “I hear his cries, I still hear his accusations, I still hear his insults, I still hear his bitter words, his insults, his threats,” he said referring to the complainants in the letter, which was read by a minister.
The church did not respond to a series of questions sent by Univision News about the investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Office since September 2019. FGR spokesmen received a request from this medium asking to confirm that there is an open folder, but until the publication of this note they were not pronounced in this respect.
The search for ‘Jane Doe 5’
A source familiar with the case claimed that Mexican investigators continue to gather evidence against the so-called ‘Apostle of Jesus Christ’, such as the statement of the anonymous witness that the California Prosecutor’s Office identifies as ‘Jane Doe 5’, an adult woman who report having been abused in a Beverly Hills hotel (California) and at the residence of Joaquin Garcia in East Los Angeles.
The FGR had communication with ‘Jane Doe 5’ in the summer of 2019 and tried to get her testimony in person, but at one point she stopped responding to messages to investigators. The WhatsApp conversation she and an FGR prosecutor had at the time is also part of the court record.
– “Naason Joaquín along with Azalea Rangel (one of the alleged accomplices) abused me, it was rather a rape, as I had never had sex in my life … that is, I was a virgin,” he said ‘Jane Doe 5’ to a message.
– “Did more rapes occur? Did you serve Naason for how long?” The prosecutor asked.
– “She was for three years. I mean, I was her sex slave for that time,” she replied.
Another purpose of the undercover cops investigating The Light of the World was locate ‘Jane Doe 5’ at her home in Guadalajara. She had agreed to testify to prosecute Joaquín García in Mexico, leave home and be under the protection of Mexican authorities. Officers set up guard for several hours away from home, talked to her relatives and neighbors, and went to look for her in the temple where her father-in-law was a minister. But they did not find her anywhere.
The FGR later learned that ‘Jane Doe 5’ traveled to California and gave her testimony to the state Attorney’s Office, which resulted in new charges against Joaquín García were presented in July 2020.
“‘Jane Doe 5’ has reported from California to the FGR,” said the source, who asked for anonymity because she is not authorized to talk about the issue. “She also testified a girl who was 16 when she was treated (victim of trafficking) and her mother,” he added.
That first time Mexican federal agents entered the Bella Province province, which is inhabited primarily by parishioners of the Light of the World, they photographed several church facilities, including Joaquin Garcia’s residence and office. private, a three-story building where he allegedly abused several girls and youth in the congregation, according to investigations in Mexico and California.
Police also went to the church’s official bookstore, where they bought a book containing songs that are sung at religious ceremonies. This is one of the “hymns” that caught the attention of agents:
You are a messenger of vibrant voice,
You are a herald of light and truth,
You are sent to give freedom …
Human forces will not be able to win,
The weapons of the flexible man will be …
The report highlights a phrase from another song “which calls for obedience to be the apostle, the chosen one of God, noting that thus salvation is obtained and in part points out that they see Christ in him.”
Police also entered meetings where they heard Bible readings, reflections of it and prayers for the release of Joaquin Garcia. The church then said his release from prison was near. He has so far been detained for 27 months in the Los Angeles Men’s Prison.
“All the sessions are aimed at praising the Apostle Nassón (sic) Joaquín García and saying that he is a martyr, that God allows men to have him in this situation to redeem humanity,” the report prepared by Mexican police states. “By what they incite the faithful to increase their fidelity and support to himself and his‘ holy family ’, that is, his wife and children, who are lineage,” he concludes.
With information from the Univision Investiga team.
