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Child rape charges refiled in L.A. against leader of La Luz del Mundo megachurch

Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership of more than one million appeared for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 15, 2019. (AL SEIB/AFP/Getty Images)

The leader of a Mexican megachurch has been charged a second time with child rape after earlier charges were thrown out.

The case was refiled Wednesday in Los Angeles against Naasón Joaquín García and two others.


The self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz del Mundo is charged with three dozen felony counts.

Prosecutors allege he committed sex crimes against five women and girls.

His attorney couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

García’s Mexico-based evangelical Christian church claims 5 million followers worldwide.

The first case against him was dismissed in April because of prosecution errors but he’s remained in custody.