Judge increases the bail for the leader of La Luz del Mundo, Naasón Joaquín García, to US $ 90 million

Joaquín García's bail increases to US $ 90 million 2:48

(CNN Spanish) - After three days of the bail hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge George Lomelí decided to increase the bail for the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, Naasón Joaquín García, to US $ 90 million.

Last week, the California attorney general's office, Xavier Becerra, had already set him a bail of US $ 50 million when he again charged this man, 51, and three of his alleged accomplices.

According to the documents, the 36 charges filed include forced rape and lewd acts against a minor, as well as extortion and possession of child pornography, among others.

So far the pastor's position on these criminal charges is unknown.

• MIRA: The California Prosecutor's Office returns to file charges against the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church

Immediately after the judge's decision, Garcia's legal defense made no statement to the media and left the court.

So far the La Luz del Mundo church has not made any statement on Judge Lomelí's decision. However, the spokesman for the congregation told CNN through a statement that "they were confident that Garcia's innocence will be proven in the following stages of the process," and that they expressed their "respect for the institutions that provide justice in the state of California".

This new legal action by the prosecution comes after four months ago a California appeals court dismissed previous charges against Garcia alleging "procedural errors" made by prosecutors.

The leader of La Luz del Mundo was arrested along with two members of his church after the California attorney general's office filed 26 criminal charges against him, which included conspiracy to commit human trafficking and conspiracy to commit child pornography, among others. .

• MORE: California appeals court dismisses case against leader of the Light of the World

However, at that time the appeals court did not make clear whether the self-proclaimed "Apostle of Jesus Christ" would be released.

The crimes would have been committed between June 2015 and June 2019, according to the court document.

Since his arrest, Joaquín García has always pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

Garcia has been held in the Los Angeles County jail since he was arrested in Southern California in June 2019.

Judge Lomelí set the date of August 11 for the preliminary hearing.