In the trial over abuses in the La Chaparra sect, the two main accused have denied any knowledge of crimes against minors and insisted that sexual rituals only involved adults. Both face up to 65 years in prison and have described the manipulation by the late leader, Antonio Garrigós, known as tío Toni. The proceedings, featuring testimonies from over 50 witnesses, continue at the Provincial Court of Castellón.
The trial at the Provincial Court of Castellón for alleged sexual abuses in the La Chaparra sect, which operated for three decades in a farmhouse in Vistabella, progressed with statements from five of the six accused on Monday. The sect was dismantled in 2022, and its leader, Antonio Garrigós, died in prison. The two main defendants, the 74-year-old sentimental partner and the 48-year-old daughter-in-law of tío Toni, responded only to the defenses and categorically denied involvement in child abuses.
The leader's partner stated: “I never knew anything, no one told me; I just found out now.” If Garrigós committed such acts, “he kept it very hidden,” she added through sobs. The daughter-in-law said: “It never crossed my mind that he might be doing the same with minors; it's unthinkable to me.” Both described the rituals as healing therapies exclusive to adults, aimed at “giving light to the world” and averting disasters.
The daughter-in-law admitted witnessing the use of a vibrator, the “maquinita,” on a minor once, holding her hand to calm her, believing she was of age and that it was curative therapy. Both distanced themselves from any inner power circle near the leader, whom they credited with absolute control through mental manipulation and fear. The partner recounted her initial submission, believing in his prophecies, and incidents of violence, like a slap for taking money without permission. She joined groups such as the “light triangles” and the “circle of the seven chosen,” which involved sexual relations, though a minor was part of it without them knowing her true age.
The daughter-in-law described meeting Garrigós at 15, when he abused her under a therapeutic pretext, and how he controlled her life, including forcing her marriage to his son at 17. She endured humiliations and a spontaneous abortion after a violent ride he ordered. Her breaking point came upon hearing the biological daughter's testimony about childhood abuses. The other three accused also denied the charges, attributing the complaints to jealousy or financial motives. The sixth accused will testify on Tuesday, before the prosecution and parties present conclusions.