The Civil Police of the Federal District (PCDF) considers the former leader of the Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Gabriel de Sá Campos, 30, as a serial rapist. He was accused of abusing a group of teenagers in the parish. The investigation shows that he sexually abused at least four minors, and the number of victims could increase as the investigation continues.
The information was confirmed by the 4th Police Station (Guará), during a press conference held this Tuesday (23/12). According to General Delegate Herbert Léda, the circumstances of the crimes classify evangelical leader Gabriel Campos as a “serial rapist.”
“Because he committed more than four rapes against vulnerable people, he is already considered a serial rapist,” specifies the prefect of police. Just like in homicide, when (a perpetrator) kills more than three people with the same modus operandi is considered a serial killer, he (Gabriel Campos) is considered a serial rapist,” he explains.
Gabriel de Sá Campos has been temporarily detained since last Friday (12/19). According to the investigation, the accused is the son of the head of the Philadelphia Baptist Church and worked in the parish as head of a sort of “sexuality ministry”, an area responsible for providing sex education counseling to teenagers in the unit.
However, we do not know who created this section and how the criminal came to command it. “In general, these positions are very informal,” added deputy chief delegate Marcos Paulo Loures.
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Deputy Chief Delegate Marcos Paulo Loures (left) and 4th DP Chief Delegate Herbert Léda (right)
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The heads of the 4th DP, responsible for investigations, transmitted information on the case
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The police investigation continues and other victims must be identified
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Sleepovers and home movies
Gabriel took advantage of the power he wielded in the church to deceive victims and gain the trust of young men. From that point on, he was alone with the victims when the abuse took place. One of the crimes allegedly took place on the church premises, during a sort of sleepover created by Gabriel.
The complaints indicate that the then member of the congregation also invited the victims to watch films at his home in Guará (DF) as a pretext to commit sexual crimes. Married, Gabriel mistreated his victims while his wife was in another room.
According to reports, he caressed the children’s private parts, who felt uncomfortable and asked to stop, but the rapist ignored them. To stop the harassment, some boys would hide in bathrooms or ask their parents to look for them.
Investigations reveal a pattern of early violence: abuse against male victims, beginning at ages 10 and 12 in two cases; a teenager, targeted between 13 and 17 years old; and a fourth victim, aged 16. The reported cases that are under investigation are believed to have occurred since 2019.
The Federal District Court (TJDFT) ordered the temporary arrest of the person under investigation for a period of 30 days, a period which may be extended by the same period.
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Other side
In a statement, the Philadelphia Baptist Church confirmed that Gabriel Campos was “a volunteer member serving in leadership positions within the Teen Ministry” and said he did not serve this year.
The church also addressed the fact that Gabriel is the son of the head of the temple. “We also specify that the family link between the person investigated and the presiding priest has not interfered, and will never interfere, in the disciplinary measures adopted by the Disciplinary Council or in the collaboration with the Civil Police and the Judiciary,” he declared.
Finally, the Philadelphia Baptist Church said it values accuracy of information and protection of its community. “The confidentiality of the police investigation and the duty to protect the privacy of minors and their families prevent the disclosure of details other than those presented above,” he said.
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