Yearslong ICE investigation results in stiff charges for church leaders and 5 others for racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking of minors and adults, and child exploitation enterprise

NEW YORK — An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations New York, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Chicago and federal partners, resulted in the unsealing of an indictment charging Naasón Joaquín García, Rosa Sosa, Azalia Rangel García, Eva García De Joaquín, Joram Núñez Joaquín and Silem García Peña with sexual, financial and related criminal conduct victimizing members of the La Luz del Mundo Church over many years.  

As alleged in the indictment, the defendants engaged in a racketeering enterprise that exploited the LLDM Church and persisted for decades to facilitate the systemic sexual abuse of children and women — including the creation of photos and videos of sadistic child sexual abuse. For decades, the Joaquín LLDM Enterprise operated for the sexual gratification of Naasón and his father, the former leader of the Joaquín LLDM Enterprise, Samuel Joaquín Flores, who died in 2014.

“A yearslong investigation that spanned the country and involved the support of dozens of courageous victims culminated with today’s charges stemming from decades of alleged exploitation and outright abuse of young woman and children. The defendants are accused of targeting individuals who gave LLDM Church their unquestioning trust and devotion and who in turn endured unimaginable crimes. Make no mistake, the defendants' alleged cycle of victimization ends today,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “I thank the brave survivors who provided law enforcement with vital information related to these allegations, and I encourage others with helpful information to do the same.”

Naasón was taken into federal custody Sept. 10 in Chino, California, where he is serving a state sentence for sexually abusing children. García De Joaquín was arrested in Los Angeles Sept. 10 and is expected to be presented in the Central District of California. Núñez Joaquín was arrested outside of Chicago this morning and is expected to be presented in the afternoon of Sept. 10 in the Northern District of Illinois. Sosa, Rangel García, and García Peña are at large and believed to be in Mexico. The U.S. government will seek their arrest and extradition to face these charges in the U.S.

Read more about the allegations and the investigation leading to today’s announcement.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)