One of the most high-profile trials in recent years is set to begin in Castellón in November 2025. Six individuals will stand accused of participating in a sect that operated in the secluded masía La Chaparra (Vistabella) and of committing a series of serious sexual offenses, including crimes against minors. Prosecutors are seeking lengthy prison sentences for each—ranging from 16 to 76 years—with the total sentences in the case exceeding three hundred years.
The hearings are expected to last nearly the entire month of November—13 sessions will be required to question more than fifty witnesses and examine numerous expert reports. This decision was made after it became clear that the originally scheduled four days would not suffice for such a large-scale case. The focus is on the activities of a group led for many years by the so-called “tío Toni,” who died in prison in 2022.
A sect disguised as spiritual practices
The story began back in the 1990s, when a small religious community appeared in Castellón. Over time, it relocated to Vistabella, where a closed group formed in a spacious masía on the village outskirts. Strict rules prevailed inside, and the leader held absolute authority. According to investigators, he organized rituals presented as healing practices, but in reality, they were sexual acts, including involving children. Women from his inner circle assisted him, bringing minors to his room, while other group members not only did not intervene but also contributed to what was happening.
On the surface, life at the masía seemed ordinary: adults worked, children studied, and groceries were bought at local stores. However, behind closed doors, strict discipline reigned, and any attempts to leave the community were met with condemnation. From childhood, sect members became accustomed to unusual rules and viewed the leader as a father figure, perceiving his demands as self-evident.
Exploitation and control over daily life
The prosecution notes that all group members were completely subject to the leader’s will. Men did repairs and took care of maintenance, women handled household chores, and teenagers helped around the house or on the property depending on their gender. All earned money was pooled, and any outside connections were discouraged. Only internal relationships within the group were encouraged, while any contact with outsiders was considered dangerous.
In March 2022, police conducted a large-scale operation, freeing twelve people from the masia, including children. Two minors were later placed under the care of authorities. The arrest of the leader and his close associates came as a shock to residents of Vistabella and neighboring villages—no one suspected such a grim reality was hidden behind the façade of ordinary life.
The Courtroom Finale
The death of ‘Uncle Toni’ in his prison cell did not halt the investigation. Now in the dock are his wife, daughter-in-law, three other women, and one man. They face charges in nine episodes of sexual abuse, six of which involve children, as well as creating a criminal organization. In addition to prison terms, the prosecution is seeking compensation for the children affected for moral and psychological damage.
This trial promises to shed light on the inner workings of closed religious groups and serves as a reminder of the importance of oversight of such communities. Ahead are long weeks of proceedings that may finally answer how such acts could have occurred in the very heart of Castellón province.
