Redlands church leader sentenced to 175 years to life for child sexual abuse

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A former youth leader at La Luz Del Mundo church in Redlands has been sentenced to 175 years to life in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing three children over several years, prosecutors said.

Abraham Jatnel Coronado was sentenced Nov. 15 by San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge David Mazurek following a jury trial in which he was found guilty of 13 felony counts of sexual abuse.

Coronado worked at the La Luz Del Mundo (The Light of the World) church at 302 S. 4th Street in Redlands. Prosecutors said Coronado oversaw Ebenezer Ranch, an off-site church location in San Timoteo Canyon, where children from the congregation were sent to work and often stayed overnight in his trailer without parental supervision.

According to testimony during the trial, Coronado’s abuse spanned at least five years and involved victims between the ages of 12 and 17. The first victim, identified as John Doe #1, came forward in 2021 after witnessing Coronado take another young victim aside at the ranch.

During the trial, John Doe #1 testified that Coronado repeatedly abused him between the ages of 15 and 17. A recorded phone call introduced as evidence included Coronado stating that he "wanted this [sex] to happen" and failing to deny the abuse when confronted.

Another victim, John Doe #2, told jurors that Coronado "groomed" him to become his boyfriend, isolating him from other children at the ranch. He said the abuse began when he was 13 and escalated to forcible sexual assault when he turned 14.

A third victim, John Doe #3, testified that Coronado engaged in inappropriate physical contact when he was between the ages of 12 and 13.

Prosecutors said Coronado admitted to the assaults and acknowledged knowing the victims' ages at the time. He also wrote an apology letter to the victims, expressing remorse for the "suffering and humiliation" he caused.

"After nearly two decades, the defendant’s horrific and predatory conduct towards children has finally come to an end," said Deputy District Attorney Adrienne Mendoza, who prosecuted the case. "Not only should the victims be applauded for facing their perpetrator, but also for their unwavering bravery, honesty, and courage throughout the entire criminal procedure process."

Coronado was found guilty of all charges, including special allegations and aggravating factors. His sentence includes 26 years plus 175 years to life in prison.

La Luz del Mundo, a controversial megachurch based in Mexico, has faced allegations of sexual abuse by its leaders. In 2019, Naasón Joaquín García, the church’s leader and a self-proclaimed apostle of Jesus, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport. He later pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child and is serving a 17-year sentence at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

Last year, García was indicted on allegations of possessing child pornography on a tablet found during his arrest at LAX.