Mother of ‘Apostle of Jesus Christ’ Denied Bail in Sex Trafficking and Abuse Case
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The mother of Naasón Joaquín García, leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, will remain detained after a New York judge rejected a $5 million bail proposal, citing flight risk and the severity of the charges against her.
Eva García de Joaquín, 80, was arrested September 10th at her California home as part of an extensive investigation alleging a criminal scheme involving the abuse of girls and the illicit enrichment of church leaders through donations. The case has drawn international attention, exposing a complex web of accusations against the prominent religious figure and his family.
Allegations of Abuse and Financial Misconduct
The US Department of Justice alleges that García participated in the sexual abuse of minors alongside her late husband, Samuel Joaquín Flores, who led the church for five decades. Prosecutors claim she also benefited from the alleged financial exploitation of thousands of faithful followers in nearly 60 countries through tithes and gifts. Specifically, the Southern District of New York alleges García facilitated the abuse of a nine-year-old girl by Joaquín Flores in the late 1980s and was involved in a 1990s incident where a 16-year-old was forced to participate in an orgy with the church leader in Mexico.
These accusations are vehemently denied by García’s legal team, who argue the case rests on the credibility of witnesses recounting events decades ago, lacking any contemporary physical or digital evidence. “In practice, the case against Eva boils down to the credibility of three or four potential trial witnesses recounting events that occurred forty or sixty years ago, with no contemporary physical or digital evidence to corroborate those ancient accounts,” a court document filed by her lawyer states. “In other words, the charges against Eva are held together by a tenuous thread.”
Despite the defense’s portrayal of a frail and ailing woman, evidence presented by prosecutors paints a different picture. A photograph taken by a federal agent shortly before her arrest shows García in a wheelchair upon her return to Los Angeles, but also reveals a glimpse into her affluent lifestyle, traveling with a Louis Vuitton bag valued at over $7,000.
Further evidence of wealth was uncovered during a search of her Los Angeles home. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents discovered more than $200,000 in cash, gold coins, jewelry, and a USB drive wrapped in jade hidden in a safe under her bed. Combined with a search of her son’s adjacent property, authorities seized over $1 million in cash.
Defense Arguments and the Judge’s Ruling
García’s lawyers argued for her release, citing a recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2023 and the need for specialized medical care unavailable in prison. They proposed $5 million bail, partially secured by the assets of eight relatives, and suggested house arrest with electronic monitoring.
However, District Judge Loretta Preska sided with prosecutors, who expressed concerns that García, given the potential for a life sentence, would attempt to flee. “García de Joaquín is not the first person with health problems, nor the first 80-year-old person detained in this District,” prosecutor Jay Clayton stated in a court filing. The judge’s decision was made during a hearing attended by García’s son, Naasón Joaquín, and nephew, Joram Núñez, both also facing charges in the federal case and currently imprisoned in Brooklyn.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
‘Sister Eva’, as she is known to followers of La Luz del Mundo, pleaded not guilty on October 16th and remains in the custody of the US Marshals Service at the Essex County Jail in New Jersey. The next hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2026.
The complexity of the case is underscored by the sheer volume of evidence – over 2.2 million documents – delivered to the defense by the Department of Justice in preparation for a potential trial next year. The church and the Joaquín family have prioritized defending Eva García, suggesting a recognition of her central role in the unfolding legal battle.
Video: A new woman accuses the mother of the leader of La Luz del Mundo of being complicit in child abuse
Video: He waited 57 years to see Naasón Joaquín’s mother imprisoned: this is her complaint for sexual abuse
Video: Luxuries, front men and victims who trafficked money: the allegations of corruption in La Luz del Mundo
The case continues to unfold, promising further revelations about the inner workings of La Luz del Mundo and the alleged abuses perpetrated by its leadership.
