California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Thursday that he believes there are more victims of child sex abuse than those listed in charges against the leader of Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo and several followers.
"It would be hard to believe that, based on the information that we're collecting, that it's only these four individuals," Becerra said at a press conference, urging any victims to come forward.
La Luz del Mundo leader Naasón Joaquín García and two co-defendants were arrested in California this week, while a fourth remains at large. They face a 26-count felony complaint that alleges crimes including child rape, statutory rape, molestation, human trafficking, child pornography and extortion.
A church spokesman has denounced the charges as slander and defamation and said Joaquín García remains the spiritual leader of La Luz del Mundo, which claims more than 5 million members worldwide.
Those in custody made their first court appearance in Los Angeles on Wednesday but did not enter pleas.