The provincial legislator Ramón Flores formalized his request for parliamentary leave in the Unicameral of the province of Córdoba to temporarily step away from his legislative duties. The institutional decision comes after the arrest of one of his advisors, José Aníbal Ricardo Villarreal, who is charged in a case involving grooming, sexual abuse, and child exploitation. Through a public statement, the member of the Hacemos Unidos por Córdoba bloc communicated his withdrawal with the aim of facilitating the regular development of the investigations conducted by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
In arguing for his preventive disconnection from the Córdoba chamber, the legislator representing the Río Seco department emphasized the importance of allowing judicial bodies to act on individual responsibilities. Regarding his personal stance on the case, Ramón Ernesto Flores stated: “I want to be absolutely clear: I am not involved in any of the events being investigated. It will be Justice that determines individual responsibilities and goes to the last consequences.” The list of those charged by the prosecutor includes a total of 11 detainees in the province.
The criminal investigation was initiated following a family complaint regarding the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl in the town of Villa de María del Río Seco. Through technical tracking of the cellphone, investigators found the young girl in Santiago del Estero along with two other minors aged 13. In that operation, José Aníbal Ricardo Villarreal was apprehended, who was serving as a legislative assistant to the legislator and also performed fieldwork and domestic tasks.
José Aníbal Ricardo Villarreal, legislative advisor to Ramón Flores and arrested for sexual abuse
Development of the proceedings and statements from Ramón Flores
After the charge of sexual abuse with carnal access was confirmed, legislative authorities ordered the immediate formal disconnection of José Aníbal Ricardo Villarreal from the advisory staff. In parallel, sources from the judicial investigation confirmed that the detainee had a prior record for a sexual abuse complaint filed in 2021. Prosecutor Analía Cepede reaffirmed the status of the accused as an advisor and detailed the work functions that the accused performed within the institutional structure of the departmental representation.
In his official statements, provincial legislator Ramón Ernesto Flores justified his withdrawal from legislative activity by the need to support the total clarification of the investigated facts. Regarding the responsibility of officials, the legislator declared: “First and foremost are the victims, their families, and the right of society as a whole to know the truth.” The parliamentary representative added that he decided to step aside because he understands that “in public service, it is not enough to just provide explanations” when there are doubts or suspicions in the judicial realm.
Furthermore, the Córdoba leader assured that he will not participate in political discussions surrounding the institutional process and will leave the clarification of the proceedings exclusively in the hands of the relevant authorities. The prosecutor's office will continue with the proceedings to determine the criminal responsibilities of the group of 11 people arrested during the actions in the northern province. With the leave request granted, the Legislative Power of the province of Córdoba will reorganize the functioning of the departmental bench while the summary proceedings advance.
