Psychic John of God (João de Deus) was indicted on Wednesday (9th) of sexual assault and statutory rape charges. Judge Rosângela Rodrigues dos Santos accepted the charges filed by the Goiás State Attorney's office.
João de Deus' lawyer, Alberto Toron, said that he had yet not been notified about the indictment, but that both he and his client are calm and that they trusted the Brazilian Justice System.
The psychic has been under arrest since December 16th in Goiânia and denied all the accusations. He is investigated for sexual assault, statutory rape, rape and illegal possession of a weapon. The indictment was filed in court on December 28th.
In the weeks previous to the arrest, police officers seized weapons and cash found during searches in properties allegedly belonging to João de Deus. After the first allegations surfaced in the media, the Goiás State Attorney's office set up a task force with to investigate further complaints and received at least other 500 accusations against João de Deus
The indictments refer to two charges of sexual assault rape by means of fraud and other two charges of statutory rape, all allegedly practiced by the psychic inside his spiritual center in Abadiânia, Goiás.
The crimes happened between April and October 2019, according to state attorney Gabriella de Queiroz.
Translated by NATASHA MADOV