Sweeping Indictment Rocks 'La Luz del Mundo' Church: Leaders Accused of Sex Trafficking and Racketeering in New York

The world-renowned Mexican church "La Luz del Mundo" finds itself at the epicenter of a new, staggering legal storm. Federal prosecutors in New York have unsealed a sweeping 19-count indictment, accusing the powerful religious organization and its top leadership of operating a vast criminal enterprise.

The charges are severe and far-reaching: sex trafficking, forced labor, racketeering, identity theft, alien smuggling, and money laundering.

These allegations paint a chilling picture of systemic abuse allegedly hidden under the veil of faith, targeting some of the most vulnerable.

Victims, many of them vulnerable women and young girls—some undocumented and hailing from Mexico and the United States—were allegedly lured into a life of servitude and exploitation.

Prosecutors contend that spiritual manipulation, threats against their families, and financial coercion were used to control them. Passports were reportedly confiscated, manufactured debts were imposed, and their lives were dictated by the accused.

At the heart of this alleged scheme is the church's supreme leader, Naasón Joaquín García, who is already serving a sentence in California for similar charges.

He is joined in the New York indictment by key associates: Alondra Ocampo, Azalea Rangel, Susana Medina Oaxaca, and Antonio Adán Mazariegos. These individuals are accused of facilitating the abuse and maintaining the coercive environment.

The indictment details how the defendants allegedly used their positions of power and influence within the church to exploit followers.

Victims were reportedly coerced into performing domestic services, engaging in commercial sex acts, and surrendering their earnings, all while being isolated and threatened with spiritual damnation or harm to their loved ones if they disobeyed.

This new indictment intensifies the legal scrutiny on "La Luz del Mundo," which boasts millions of followers globally.

It underscores a pattern of alleged criminal activity that prosecutors believe extends beyond the California conviction, suggesting a sophisticated, multi-faceted operation designed to enrich its leaders and fulfill their illicit desires.

The federal action in New York represents a significant step in the ongoing fight against human trafficking and abuse within powerful institutions.

It sends a clear message that no organization, regardless of its size or influence, is above the law when it comes to exploiting the most vulnerable members of society. The legal battle ahead promises to be extensive, as victims seek justice and accountability for years of alleged suffering.