The leader of the Mexican megachurch, La Luz del Mundo, has been sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for s#xually ab§sing young female followers who said he made them his s*x sl@ves.
.
.
Naasón Joaquín García, 53, was sentenced on Wednesday after he abruptly pleaded guilty last week in Los Angeles Superior Court to three felonies on the eve of a long-awaited trial.
.
.
Prosecutors said García, who is considered the “apostle” of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, used his spiritual sway to have s*x with girls and young women who were told it would lead to their salvation — or damnation if they refused.
.
.
“I never cease to be amazed at what people do in the name of religion and how many lives are ruined in the guise of a supreme being,” said Judge Ronald Coen, who called García a s*xual predator.
.
.
The sentence came after nearly three hours of emotional statements by five young women García was charged with s*xually ab§sing. They had once been his most devoted servants. But in court they called him “evil” and a “monster,” “d#sgusting human w@ste” and the “antichrist.”
.
.
The church, which is also known as the Light of the World, said in a statement that García pleaded guilty because he didn’t think he could get a fair trial after prosecutors withheld or doctored evidence. The agreement would allow him to be freed sooner. “The Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no choice but to accept with much p@in that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family,” the church said while repeating their support for him.
