In Alicante, a Prosecutor’s Office Pursues Severe Penalties in a Child Sexual Exploitation Case
The Alicante Prosecutor’s Office has requested the most severe penalties for a 37-year-old man charged with producing child pornography and other sex offenses involving minors. The indictment describes a pattern of contacting minors across several Spanish cities via the internet and social networks, where he built trust under false pretenses before soliciting explicit images and engaging in sexual activity. The Ministry of Finance has requested fines totaling up to 100,000 euros and a potential prison term of up to 285 years for the defendant if the evidence convinces the court to apply the highest penalties in Chapter Two. The alleged victims range from 9 to 16 years old, predominantly girls, with four boys among them. The accused has a history of producing child pornography and allegedly lured minors through online channels, asking for candid photos after initiating contact on social networks.
One issue highlighted by authorities is how social networks sometimes shelter minors from predators who use fake profiles to gain their trust, creating opportunities for sexual exploitation and even contact in person. The Public Ministry has asked that the defendant be prohibited from using chats and social networks for five years for each crime charged, reflecting the court’s aim to curb online access that could facilitate further abuse.
The Public Ministry’s Demands and Charge Sheet
The investigation was conducted by the Alicante prosecutor’s office and has been sent to the trial in the Education Court, which handles cases involving minors. The accused faces charges that include displaying pornographic material to minors, producing child pornography, child abuse, and incitement to prostitution. In total, the prosecution seeks up to 285 years of prison for the array of offenses related to minors.
In addition, the prosecution seeks a long list of penalties for more than 42 separate offenses linked to the use of computer or telephone chats and social networks, including a five-year ban on such platforms. The government also seeks compensation totaling 48,000 euros for the victims, with larger sums requested for two young women who allegedly had sexual encounters with the defendant. The prosecution further requests that the defendant be stripped of any professional license or status that would allow contact with minors.
The WhatsApp and Internet Component
According to the indictment, the alleged predator was active in online forums and WhatsApp groups from 2017 to 2019, often creating or joining groups under anonymous personas and fake profiles that impersonated minors. Once enough trust was built, he exposed his own image and identity to the victims. In virtual conversations, he rapidly steered discussions toward sexual topics, shared explicit content, and sometimes urged victims to send their own images or engage in sexual acts, following his instructions.
In several cases, he reportedly had real sexual contact with some victims. He offered gifts such as money loaded onto their phones and even paid for underwear, using affectionate language like “darling” or “my love” to maintain trust. He also accessed social movements and LGBT groups to reach young people who might be vulnerable in transitional stages of their lives.
These methods enabled him to amass large amounts of self-made pornographic material from underage individuals.
Actual Encounters and Ongoing Access
The investigation alleges a sustained relationship with one victim lasting more than three years, including two sexual encounters, one of which occurred in a hotel in Alicante. Some conversations were recorded and shared multiple times by the defendant, revealing a pattern of coercive behavior. The victim later supplied the defendant with numerous pornographic files and videos, including some involving the defendant’s own sexual content. The same material was later used by the accused to manipulate other minors, sometimes by creating a fake profile that mimicked his identity. The victim involved was around 12 years old when the relationship began and remained in contact until about age 15 before arrest.
The case underscores that the same illicit material, when circulated by a predator, can spread to additional victims who have not directly met the offender. The evidence includes footage seized from the defendant, which prosecutors say clearly shows the victims were underage.
Social Exclusion and Risk Factors
Some victims were youths facing social exclusion, living in precarious conditions or crowded housing, including shelter transitions or squats. The defendant reportedly built trust through regular deposits or gifts that helped control and influence these vulnerable individuals. In some cases, law enforcement faced challenges contacting all victims to pursue legal action due to their living situations, but the prosecutor emphasizes that the footage demonstrates the involvement of minors in the material.
Regardless of whether victims could be identified in every instance, the ongoing investigation and seized materials point to a pattern of exploitation that harmed multiple minors. The court continues to review the extensive charges and the corresponding demands for penalties and protective measures aimed at preventing future abuse.
Throughout the proceedings, marked citations from official sources indicate the gravity of the offenses and the sustained risk posed by online predators who exploit social platforms to reach vulnerable youths. Authorities stress the need for persistent vigilance, clear legal consequences, and robust safeguards for minors in the digital space. [Citation attribution to the Public Ministry and prosecutorial records.]