The Civil Police of the Federal District arrested 54-year-old Jose Neton Gomez Melo in pretrial detention, on suspicion of committing several crimes against different women in recent years. According to the 18th Civil Police Station of Braslandia, which is in charge of the case, the investigation “revealed an extensive and disturbing history of physical, sexual, psychological and property violence” attributed to him. The arrest was made on Friday through Operation Fraus Veneni, which means “poisoned fraud”, referring to the use of drugs to drug and rape victims, which is also being investigated.
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According to police, in recent years he had acted “against numerous women, adopting a serial, organized and predatory style of action.” To achieve this, José Neton combined emotional manipulation, after initiating a relationship with the victims, sexual violence, stalking and financial fraud.
The first cases investigated were suspected threats, rape of a vulnerable person, psychological violence and violence against property. But during the investigation, it was expanded as new reports emerged and Jose Neton appeared in at least eight records since 2012, relating to assaults, armed threats, stalking and intimidating behaviour.
Three women from Brazil were officially identified as victims, showing the same pattern of how the suspect acted, from the manner to the type of violence they were subjected to. Police believe other women were victims of José Neton and are seeking to identify them. In the decision ordering the arrest, the judge emphasized the high degree of danger of the person being investigated, and highlighted the violent modus operandi.
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According to investigations, Jose Neton had the same way of acting against the victims. The image of the women was the same: adults, financially independent and in moments of emotional fragility, details that were used to bring him closer and build a love relationship. From then on, emotional dependence was built, and thus the suspect obtained financial gain by exploiting the victims.
Among the requests were loans in the women’s names, fraudulent financing, and misuse of personal data and credit cards. One victim reported that he lost about R$200,000 when he asked to buy a rural property that never existed, a scam that involves simulating the acquisition of non-existent assets.
Investigating sexual violence
According to investigations, Jose Neton will continue to use sexual and physical violence against victims. In more than one case, the suspect allegedly drugged them and kept them unconscious to have sex. He was still photographing and filming naked women and drugs and showing this material to third parties.
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The victims told police that the man was watching them. According to them, addresses were monitored, bells were rung in front of houses, and routine surveillance was carried out. Although there is no legal registration of weapons in the National Arms System, women reported that José Neton appeared armed on these occasions.
After representation from the 18th DP, the joint action of the Civil Police of the Federal District, the General Ministry of the DF and the Judiciary resulted in a preventive arrest and search and seizure orders. José Neton discovered the recent accusations in Brazil and fled the Federal District. He was hiding in Serra dos Emoris, in Minas Gerais, at his adopted mother’s house. The arrest took place on Friday morning when he returned and was arrested at a hotel in Brasílandia.
The operation is still ongoing, focused on collecting evidence, complying with court orders, and deepening investigations.