Naasón Joaquín García, 53, pleaded guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15.
LOS ANGELES -- Naasón Joaquín García, the leader of the Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo, pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing three girls, California state prosecutors said.
García, 53, pleaded guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. The California attorney general's office said he used his spiritual influence to have sex with several female followers. Two female co-defendants, including a woman who previously admitted facilitating the abuse, have also pleaded guilty.
"García used his power to take advantage of children," Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement."He relied on those around him to groom congregants for the purposes of sexual assault. Today's conviction can never undo the harm, but it will help protect future generations." The guilty plea just before his trial set to begin Monday is an abrupt turn from the vigorous denials by his lawyers and ardent support from his church of 5 million worldwide followers.Sentencing was scheduled for Wednesday.
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