"Mexican Megachurch Leaders Exposed as Sex-Trafficking Kingpins"

US Prosecutors Uncover Alleged Sex-Trafficking Ring Led by Mexican Megachurch Leaders In a shocking indictment, US prosecutors have accused the leaders of La Luz del Mundo Church, a Mexican megachurch with over 5 million members worldwide, of operating a large-scale sex trafficking enterprise for decades. According to court documents, the church's patriarchs allegedly facilitated the sexual abuse of children and women, passing down their leadership roles while also perpetuating a culture of exploitation. The indictment charges six defendants, including the current leader Naasón Joaquín García, with participating in a sprawling conspiracy that spanned multiple countries. The alleged sex-trafficking ring was led by García's father, Eusebio Aaron Joaquín Gonzalez, who founded the Guadalajara-based Christian church nearly 100 years ago. The family has maintained control over the church since its inception, with leadership roles passed down through generations. According to US prosecutors, the sex-trafficking enterprise involved the exploitation of children and women, who were forced into prostitution and subjected to physical and emotional abuse. The indictment alleges that García and other defendants used their positions of power to facilitate the abuse, often using coercion and intimidation to silence victims. La Luz del Mundo Church has been a family affair since its inception, with leadership roles passed down through generations. Eusebio Aaron Joaquín Gonzalez founded the church in 1926, and his son succeeded him as leader. Naasón Joaquín García took over as current leader after his father's death in 2014. The indictment marks a significant development in the investigation into La Luz del Mundo Church's alleged sex-trafficking ring. The US Department of Justice has been investigating the church since 2018, when it received reports of child abuse and exploitation. Experts say that the alleged sex-trafficking ring is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a larger problem within the church. "This is a classic case of a cult-like organization where leaders use their power to exploit and manipulate followers," said Dr. Janja Lalich, a sociologist who has studied cults and authoritarian groups. The indictment comes as a shock to many members of La Luz del Mundo Church, who have been loyal to the church's leadership for years. "I had no idea that this was going on," said one member, who wished to remain anonymous. "We were always taught to trust our leaders and follow their teachings without question." The case is now in the hands of a federal judge, who will determine whether the defendants will stand trial or face other penalties. If convicted, García and his co-defendants could face up to life in prison. La Luz del Mundo Church has released a statement denying all allegations, stating that it "strongly rejects" the indictment and is cooperating fully with investigators. The church's leadership has maintained its innocence throughout the investigation, but experts say that the evidence against them is mounting. As the case unfolds, many are left wondering how such a large-scale sex-trafficking ring could have gone undetected for so long. "This is a wake-up call for all of us," said Dr. Lalich. "We need to be vigilant and speak out when we see signs of abuse or exploitation." The indictment marks a significant development in the investigation into La Luz del Mundo Church's alleged sex-trafficking ring, but it also raises questions about how such a large-scale conspiracy could have gone undetected for so long. Sources: US Department of Justice The Guardian (Source 1) The Guardian (Source 2) This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and The Guardian.