Judge Wendy Tavárez of the Judicial Office of Permanent Attention Offices in Santiago declared as complex the process that the prosecution opened against Lorenzo Silverio Almonte and/or Julián (el Pastor). Silverio Almonte now faces charges for acts of torture, mistreatment, and sexual and psychological abuse to the detriment of 11 minors.
The court sent Silverio Almonte to jail for 18 months as the case against him is prepared. Relatives of youths accuse him of allowing rape and abuse at the regeneration center.
In proceedings led by the Prosecutor’s Office, through its Unit of Integral Attention to Victims of Gender Violence, Domestic and Sexual Crimes, the authorities raided the establishment run by Silverio Almonte. Identified as a rehabilitation center for alcoholism and behavioral problems, the investigations are now looking into the numerous abuses suffered by the minors admitted to the center.
The Santiago Prosecutor’s Office for Children and Adolescents, the Ministry of Public Health, the National Health Service and the National Police also participated in the investigation and assistance to the victims.
The authorities observed that the minors held at the center were kept in overcrowded and deplorable conditions. The investigation has revealed that in addition to physical and psychological abuse, the inmates were forced to ingest psychotic substances and medications without medical prescriptions.
The probe is investigating the regeneration centers operated by Silverio Almonte in Los Cocos and La Cienaga in Santiago, both closed by the Ministry of Public Health. The youths were transferred to the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Conani).
Against Lorenzo Silverio Almonte and/or Julian (El Pastor), the Prosecutor’s Office filed provisional charges for violation of the Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents (Law 136-03), article 396 (letters A and B); also for violating articles 29, 42, 89, 92, 115, 121 and 153 of the General Health Law (42-01) and Law 155-17, on Money Laundering and Illicit Enrichment.
The accused is also accused of violating articles 303, 303-4, numerals 1 and 2, and 351-2 of the Dominican Penal Code, modified by Law 24-97, on Gender Violence.
Read more in Spanish:
Hoy
Listin Diario
El Dia
Listin Diario
3 January 2023