The 69-year-old mayor of Castroverde de Campos appeared before the Zamora Court for a second time on charges that accuse him of encouraging two sisters, aged 14 and 16, into prostitution and of harassing the youngest daughter of an immigrant family hosting them in town. The alleged events occurred between July and October 2021.
The head of the Municipal Corporation of Terracampina is accused of paying between 50 and 100 euros for each sexual encounter, according to the Zamora Prosecutor’s Office, which is seeking a ten-year prison term for all crimes. It is alleged that these incidents occurred across several days and nights each week to avoid being noticed by neighbors; the court process also requests probation and disqualification from public service for a number of years.
Lera Blanco is charged with exposing himself to minors, encouraging exposure to pornographic material to increase arousal, and appearing in the presence of the two sisters, according to the accounts of the two teenagers. The investigation, triggered when the father learned of the alleged acts and blamed the person who appeared to be his benefactor, led to the family leaving the town to escape the accused. A Villalpando judge later ordered the two girls to be kept under supervision.
family vulnerability
The Public Ministry is examining the possibility that the senior politician exploited the precarious situation of the minors’ parents, who are Moroccan, by providing municipal subsidies to help them stay in Castroverde and by advocating for support from the Junta de Castilla y Leon. The matter also concerns a decision to close a school based on the parents’ status rather than the students’ needs.
The man, who has led the town for decades, allegedly bought the girls soft drinks, small gifts, and other items they could not obtain at home due to lack of income. He reportedly previously ran an inn and, according to prosecutors, hired the 16-year-old as a housemaid while attempting to arrange a home visit for the other sister with the father present. Prosecutors allege the sexual activities continued for months without drawing suspicion, and the Office now seeks six years in prison for the prostitution of both sisters and four years for the sexual abuse alleged by the 14-year-old in conversations with the city council member.
Possibilities to go to Topas
Despite a prior conviction on December 1, 2022, which sentenced him to two years in prison for corruption, judges stayed the execution of that sentence on the condition that the defendant remains free if not found guilty in a related matter. If he is re-convicted after a hearing on May 25, these criminal records alone would not automatically determine admission to a program in Topas.
The cases under current consideration occurred before November 24, 2021, and thus preceded the crimes of incitement to prostitution and sexual abuse now alleged by the Prosecutor. The former hotelier had previously offered 300 euros to close acquaintances to engage in sexual acts with his daughter. By that time he had already engaged in conduct that the Prosecutor says merits fresh charges and a renewed appearance before the court.
The sexual assault against the 15-year-old took place as Castroverde was leaving a local bar when the mayor allegedly offered 300 euros to have sexual relations. The victim spent months under conditional and unconditional imprisonment as a result of the case. The defendant also bears a history of prior sentences from the High Criminal Court and the Supreme Court related to gender-based violence and assaulting a citizen.
corruption of minors
Over a period exceeding forty years, reports indicate that the councilor offered 300 euros to a young person to accompany him to his home for sex on November 24, 2021.
In a recorded conversation, the mayor was heard saying phrases that suggested coercive intent and an expectation of payment for sexual favors. The exchanges reflected a pattern of conduct that prosecutors characterize as exploitation of vulnerable minors who relied on the mayor for support and stability in their daily lives.