Prosecutors have asked a judge to hold the leader of a Mexican megachurch without bail on charges of child rape and human trafficking.
Naasón Joaquín García, leader of La Luz del Mundo, is currently held on $50 million bail — believed to be the highest ever in Los Angeles County. He has pleaded not guilty.
García and two co-defendants appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday for a bail review hearing. Law enforcement officers testified about sexual images and videos discovered on his electronic devices.
Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership, appears with his defense attorneys Ken Rosenfeld, left, and Allen Sawyer for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, July 15, 2019. Prosecutors have asked a judge to hold Garcia without bail on charges of child rape and human trafficking. (Al SeibLos Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
One also testified that $5 million has been raised for Garcia's defense. Defendants can typically post 10% of their bail to be freed.
Defense attorneys say Garcia doesn't pose a flight risk and they want his bail reduced.
The judge is expected to rule Tuesday.
Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership, appears with his defense attorneys Ken Rosenfeld, left, and Allen Sawyer for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, July 15, 2019. Prosecutors have asked a judge to hold Garcia without bail on charges of child rape and human trafficking. (Al SeibLos Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership, appears with his defense attorneys Ken Rosenfeld and Allen Sawyer for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, July 15, 2019. Prosecutors have asked a judge to hold Garcia without bail on charges of child rape and human trafficking. (Al SeibLos Angeles Times via AP, Pool)
Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership, appears with his defense attorneys Ken Rosenfeld, left, and Allen Sawyer for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, July 15, 2019. Prosecutors have asked a judge to hold Garcia without bail on charges of child rape and human trafficking. (Al SeibLos Angeles Times via AP, Pool)