Castelldefels, a town near Barcelona, has been rocked by a disturbing case involving a group of five men from the area. Authorities ordered precautionary detention as investigations continued into alleged sexual assaults against multiple women. A week after a gathering of friends in their thirties from this municipality, residents from Baix Llobregat watched as photos circulated on mobile devices, uncovering faces and, in some cases, nicknames tied to the suspects.
Some images circulating on social networks do not belong to the five detainees. Reports from local outlets, citing the police press office, identified the suspects as Robert P., Alejandro P., Jose M., David A., and Orlando M., all linked to the same social circle.
K-Team
People who know the group say they do not fit the stereotype of a typical neighborhood gang. Robert, who ran a WhatsApp group named K-Team, is described by a neighbor who also practices salsa at a local center as quiet and reserved. This neighbor notes that the group was once well known for their shared interests around town and for their low-key presence.
Yet the same informant noted that several dance partners were surprised by the recent arrest announcements, with one woman explaining that Robert had persisted in messaging her on Instagram after the arrest news broke.
Most members of the Castelldefels group were born in 1986 and attended local schools, later earning degrees and pursuing professional careers. They lived in the town center, near the main squares, and did not come from troubled families. The group’s members included locals who identified themselves by various names, with some of the men known to have Cuban or Romanian origins, and the rest described as Catalan. Neighbors described them as introverted, appearing harmless to many who did not know their private lives well.
Whatsapp group
The friendship among the core circle formed gradually as members shared common hobbies, including football and video games. Robert established the WhatsApp group in 2014, reportedly a name used by some to describe a sense of camaraderie rather than any specific activity. The platform contains messages and media that, once examined by the Mossos d’Esquadra, contributed to the legal process by revealing patterns of communication among those involved.
A logo associated with the group has been shown in recent coverage, highlighting the social bond among Castelldefels residents labeled as part of the community.
Witnesses familiar with the group describe a mix of personalities. Some members were seen as dominant, while others appeared to be more reserved. The group included individuals with university education and professional roles in various sectors, including economics-related fields. The activities within the circle drew attention as investigators examined how the dynamics of power and intimidation may have operated in private settings.
Bullying at the gym
A separate account from a gym where some members trained describes a conflict triggered by persistent messaging on social platforms. A female gym member blocked another individual on Instagram after experiencing similar pressure from a center colleague. The situation escalated to concerns about workplace safety, prompting the involved party to discuss the matter with the gym management and among friends, with some conversations recorded for potential legal use.
Party group
An older friend who previously attended gatherings with the circle recalled a pattern of behavior described as fixated on sexual activity. The testimonies suggest that some individuals sought to pursue intimate encounters, sometimes exploiting social situations and privacy boundaries, with at least one account indicating repeated encounters linked to social events and nightlife venues.
Organized patterns
The group reportedly frequented several clubs and venues, and conversations described a tendency to pursue intimate encounters in settings where alcohol was involved. In some cases, the accounts suggest that victims were led to private spaces, with the individuals involved sometimes acting in concert. The investigations later examined whether some members engaged in coercive conduct or sexual violence, with victims providing testimonies about consent and coercion.
Video evidence and messaging
Authorities obtained a number of videos and messages from smartphones belonging to individuals in the group. These materials, along with interviews conducted by investigators, are helping to determine whether victims gave consent or were pressured into activities that violated their rights. The process involves contacting each woman to verify the circumstances of any encounters and to assess the credibility of different accounts.
Dating apps and ongoing inquiries
Allegations reportedly involved encounters arranged through dating platforms, with at least one individual identified by a nickname tied to a cultural origin. The individuals are described as having invited a victim to a private setting with the expectation of a social gathering, only to have the sequence of events lead to alleged sexual assaults reported to authorities.
Early 2021 investigations intensified as authorities focused on how the group operated in social spaces and private residences around Gava. The investigative unit examined potential additional victims and followed up on new leads as more people came forward with accounts of coercive or non-consensual behavior.
Modus operandi
In several accounts under review, a member would invite others to a party held at a private residence. Some victims arrived under the impression of a social gathering, only to face sexual acts that were later described as non-consensual by the survivors. The evolving police narrative indicates that group members sometimes acted in coordination, while others described situations where a single individual attempted to control the dynamics in the room.
According to testimony, multiple participants engaged in sexual acts that were not always fully consensual, with some victims reporting pressure or coercion. Investigators are working to determine the extent of coercion, consent, and the responsibility of each individual involved. The city council has confirmed that formal charges may be brought against several residents in connection with the case.