Judge Rejects Motions to Dismiss La Luz del Mundo Case
Federal judge rules that the case against Naason Joaquin Garcia and his co-defendants will continue in Manhattan.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Live Poll
Should religious faith protect individuals or organizations from facing criminal prosecution in secular courts?
A federal judge in Manhattan has denied defense motions to dismiss the ongoing case against Naason Joaquin Garcia and five other individuals. The group faces federal charges linked to allegations of sexual abuse, illicit financial activity, and investigation obstruction.
Why it matters
The defense argued that the government mischaracterized religious practices as criminal acts and requested a venue change to California. By rejecting these motions, the court maintains the proceedings in New York despite the church's claims that the prosecution criminalizes religious beliefs.
Judge Loretta Preska rejected motions to dismiss the federal case and transfer proceedings to California. Naason Joaquin Garcia is currently serving a 16-year and 8-month sentence in California following a 2022 guilty plea.
The players
Loretta Preska
She is a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York who presided over the hearing.
Naason Joaquin Garcia
He is the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church currently serving a prison sentence in California.
The details
Prosecutors allege that the defendants utilized the structure of the La Luz del Mundo church to facilitate sexual abuse and obstruct federal investigations. The defense argued during the nearly two-hour oral hearing that the government has distorted facts regarding their religious practices.
Timeline
June 2022: Joaquin Garcia pleaded guilty to sexual offenses.
September 10, 2025: Federal charges were announced in New York.
October 27, 2026: The judge rejected defense motions to dismiss the case.
Legal Context
This ruling advances the federal prosecution initiated by the Southern District of New York in 2025. The case tests the boundary between protected religious activity and alleged criminal facilitation within organizational structures.
The continuation of this federal case keeps the legal proceedings anchored in Manhattan. Local residents and observers should expect ongoing activity at the federal courthouse as the trial schedule is finalized.
The takeaway
The court's decision ensures that the federal prosecution will proceed as planned despite significant challenges from the defense. Observers of the case should monitor future court filings to see if the trial date remains on its current trajectory.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings involving these types of allegations, visit Sex Crimes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Rio Times.
Live Poll
Should religious faith protect individuals or organizations from facing criminal prosecution in secular courts?
