Francisco JC, a 34-year-old priest from Málaga, was arrested early September by the National Police in Vélez-Málaga on accusations linked to possessing images of women he had sedated for sexual exploitation. This followed an investigation opened after a neighbor in Melilla identified him as her romantic partner, a relationship that led to his transfer from Melilla a few months earlier. The bond between them was public and controversial, prompting the Diocese of Málaga to move him and reconsider his future. The discovery on his hard drive surprised everyone. A friend turned him over to authorities. He remains in provisional prison, facing four counts of sexual assaults and five privacy-related offenses .
This was the investigation
The investigation began in August when a woman who claimed to be the detainee’s partner reported her presence at the home to the Women’s Family and Care Unit in Melilla. There, investigators uncovered a shared hard drive containing photos and videos . Some material showed partially undressed women who appeared asleep or under sedatives, with the man performing various sexual acts . After examining the drive, central UFAM researchers identified five victims and stated they were unaware of the recordings or any related crimes at the time of exposure . The sexual assaults were described as ongoing, spanning different years and locations during outings with groups of friends that included the detained individual .
The material suggested the victims may have been put at an advantage, with the detainee allegedly using substances to compromise their state of consciousness to commit assaults . People close to the case told reporters that some attacks occurred in the church residence and in his own home. The exact substance used remained undetermined, with authorities noting that the offenses may have occurred years earlier. Victims could not recall what happened, yet they confirmed knowing the priest and that they were part of a group of friends who traveled together frequently . The abuses were reportedly captured on video between 2017 and 2017, during trips organized by this circle in nine different locations. Police sources indicated that members of the group were not aware of the misconduct .
The investigation continues as authorities sift through seized materials at the suspect’s current home in Vélez-Málaga, considering Melilla, Málaga, and Córdoba as possible locations tied to the victims and the group, while extending efforts to identify additional individuals involved . The detainee reportedly did not cooperate with the National Police after his arrest. Local residents noted that the suspect was the son of a nun who had lived in Vélez-Málaga for many years, and that the family dynamics were discussed within the neighborhood. The priest’s past roles as catechist and trainer in a kindergarten were mentioned in initial reports, though the focus now centers on the criminal allegations rather than his past duties .
I had no assigned congregation
According to information gathered, the defendant had not supervised a parish since returning from Melilla. While he occasionally traveled to Yunquera or El Burgo to celebrate the Eucharist, he lived in temporary retirement in Vélez-Málaga. Knowledge of his romantic involvement with a woman in North Africa became publicly known and caused scandal within the Diocese of Málaga, which responded by offering a period of reflection and by withholding a parish assignment as it considered his future direction . News of the arrest and the crimes charged toward a member of the clergy sent a shock through the area, as these actions seemed to conflict with the responsibilities and trust placed in priestly duties .