26 felonies — including human trafficking, production of child porn and forcible rape of a minor — are alleged to have taken place in L.A. County between 2015 and 2018
the church— formed in 1926 — to a cult that preys on the poor. Samuel Joaquin Flores, Garcia’s father and predecessor who died in 2014, was previously the subject of child sex abuse allegations that he adamantly denied. He never faced charges.
Jack Freeman, a minister who has been with the church for 27 years, said he knows Garcia personally. Garcia, he said, was recognized by the United Nations earlier this year for the church's human rights work. The church leader has also helped develop foundations to empower women, Freeman said. However, a neighbor who grew up in East L.A. near the church said he had heard rumblings about inappropriate behavior— namely women complaining about Garcia’s advances.
The criminal complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday against Garcia and his co-defendants outlines graphic and disturbing details about the crimes prosecutors allege they committed.