Spanish authorities conducted a raid on the residence of a man dubbed as “Majorca’s Fritzl” for imprisoning his stepdaughter as a sex slave in a house equipped with a “punishment cellar.” The 51-year-old man was found guilty of raping the victim on a daily basis over a span of five years, keeping her hidden in the secret cellar. He has drawn comparisons to Josef Fritzl, an Austrian man who similarly abused his daughter in a cellar.
Following a closed trial, the Spaniard, identified as JLL, was sentenced to 34 years in prison for charges including trafficking, sexual abuse of a minor, production of abusive material, and invasion of privacy. The victim, who was seven years old at the onset of the abuse in 2015, lived in poverty with her mother and siblings when the perpetrator offered them a better life. He manipulated the situation, gaining the child’s emotional reliance on him by presenting himself as a savior.
JLL proceeded to marry the victim’s mother in a fraudulent union to facilitate their move to Spain. Once in Europe, he isolated the victim, forcing her into a coerced agreement for sexual acts and domestic labor. He exploited the promise of reuniting her with her younger sisters to maintain control over her. The abuse persisted until she reached 17 years old, enduring assaults even while crying or asleep.
The horrific crimes came to light in March 2024 when the victim confided in her mother about the ordeal. The court acknowledged the severe and lasting impact on the victim’s psychological and social well-being. JLL denied the accusations, claiming he aimed to rescue the girl from her circumstances. The court’s decision is subject to appeal.
