Psychic João de Deus charged with sex violation through fraud

Brazil’s Civil Police charged medium João Teixeira de Faria, also known as João de Deus, 76, with sexual violation through fraud. The inquiry is based on the account of a 39-year-old woman. The psychic has been temporarily arrested for six days  in a town some two hours from Abadiânia, where his spiritual sessions were held.

The crime is described by Brazilian law as a form of deception aimed at sexual abuse which prevents the victim from freely expressing their will. The victim says the crime took place in October this year, during a spiritual session at the Casa Dom Inácio de Loyola, in Abadiânia, 118 km from Brasília.

Thus far, the police has heard 16 victims of the spiritual leader, but prosecutors have received over 500 accounts on a number of sexual crimes. Investigators say João de Deus may be charged with three different crimes: sexual violation through fraud, rape, and statutory rape.

The three crimes are punishable with jail time. If the psychic is convicted of sexual violation through fraud, the sentence may vary from two to six years in jail.

Supreme Court

João de Deus’s defense filed a request with the Supreme Court to have him released, since the habeas corpus motion was denied by prosecutors in Goiás state. The case was sent to Chief Justice Dias Toffoli, now in charge of the affairs as court recess has just began.

Justice Toffoli requested information from the Superior Court of Justice before making a decision. The ruling is expected to be issued later today.