Naasón Joaquín, leader of La Luz del Mundo, pleaded not guilty to organized crime and sex trafficking in the US

Through a statement from La Luz del Mundo, it was announced that Naasón Joaquín García, leader of the church founded in Guadalajara, Jalisco, pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking, organized crime, and financial crimes in Manhattan, New York.

Following the events, the religious community issued a statement rejecting the judicial process and accusing the prosecutor’s office of “distorting” the law to pressure Joaquín García.

“A hearing was held today in New York Federal Court for the reading of the charges against Naasón Joaquín, and we therefore reject the scandalous, false, and slanderous charges against Joaquín García.

“Likewise, he firmly pleaded not guilty at today’s hearing,” reads the statement issued by La Luz del Mundo.

The church also lamented and declared itself “dismayed” by the arrest of Eva García de Joaquín, mother of Naasón, and Joram Núñez, the religious leader’s nephew, describing the actions as a campaign of “distortion” through the law to pressure Joaquín García.

“We are dismayed by the arrest of Sister Eva García de Joaquín and Brother Joram Núñez. We believe that the filing of criminal charges against his mother and his 80-year-old nephew clearly demonstrates that the prosecutor’s office is willing to distort the law to pressure Naasón Joaquín,” the statement stated.

Finally, the press release called on media outlets covering the issue not to manipulate public opinion and corrupt the justice system through their reporting.

“We would like to draw attention to the collusion between individuals with an agenda, criminals, and certain media outlets, which corrupt the justice system, manipulate public opinion, and stigmatize our Christian faith as dangerous and criminal,” La Luz del Mundo concluded.