LOS ANGELES — Days before his long-awaited trial was scheduled to start, La Luz del Mundo church leader Naason Joaquin Garcia pleaded guilty to multiple charges of sexual assault involving minors, the state attorney general’s office announced Friday.
“Today’s conviction sends a clear message that sexual exploitation is never acceptable in California. We will hold you accountable if you break the law,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release Friday afternoon.
Garcia’s followers believe the 53-year-old is an “apostle” appointed by God to direct the megachurch, which has branches in 50 countries, including churches in Los Angeles.
