The leader of Santo Daime has been the target of an investigation for sexual rape by fraud for more than a year

• The MPRJ requested preventive detention: Santo Daime leader Padrinho Paulo Roberto accused of sexual rape by fraud against former worshipers in Rio church
• “Violated, exploited, humiliated and charged with dark sexual energy”: The American accuses Padrinho Paulo Roberto of harassment

The court also accepted the deputy’s request to surrender his passport and prohibit him from attending the church of Céu do Mar, in São Conrado, to avoid “the risk of further offenses.” The existence of several victims was taken into account.

Most recently, the preventive detention was filed by the MP during the first week of December. GLOBO noted that the defense of Paulo Roberto Silva e Souza filed a motion requesting the rejection of the arrest request made by the MPRJ. The case is currently before Judge Renata Travassos Medina de Macedo, who will analyze the new request for preventive detention and the defense request, defining the next steps in the case.

• After new allegations, the Daime institutions speak out: Padrinho Paulo Roberto has already been suspended in the USA

Reports reveal abuse over at least 40 years

• The investigation was opened in September 2024 by Police Chief Ana Beatriz Fucks Anderson, who opened the investigation so that victims, witnesses and others involved could be heard.
• After the first victim contacted police, at least three other victims and witnesses of abuse came forward with statements. Jéssica reported abuse beginning on April 13, 2022.
• In November 2024, delegate Marcos Buss, of the 32nd DP of the Civil Police, in the West Zone, asked the Public Ministry for a new delay, the investigation having expired.
• The MP came back with a new deadline of 120 days. In April 2025, seven months after the complainant went to the police station, the police signed a request for the preventive and preventive arrest of Paulo Roberto, due to the diversity of witnesses.
• At least five witnesses were questioned. GLOBO inquired with the police about the progress of the investigation and learned that “indications of paternity were already demonstrated in the minutes of the investigation procedure”.
• The civil police, initially after completing the investigation report, sent a letter emphasizing that instead of other precautionary measures, arrest was necessary.
• The possibility was considered that Paulo Roberto Silva e Souza fled to Ilhéus, where he had property, or to Amazonas, where he had been seen during the Santo Daime ceremonies.
• A few months later, the court decided that prison was not necessary.
• Precautionary measures were then imposed, such as the seizure of the accused’s passport.
• On December 4, the deputy decided to file a request requesting the preventive detention of Paulo Roberto.
• The conclusion of the trial is in the hands of Judge Renata Travassos Medina de Macedo, of the Rio Justice Court.

Victims and witnesses in the case reported to the police situations of abuse committed over at least 40 years, since the creation of the Céu do Mar de São Conrado church. The first complainant to make these cases known was Jéssica Nascimento Sousa, a resident of the southwest zone of Rio, who went to the 32nd DP (Taquara) to file a police report. Discover the main stages of the investigation below:

GLOBO heard from sources who reported that when sending the last request for arrest, information was taken into account indicating that the accused could escape and use other devices, such as administrative segregation to avoid complying with court decisions.

For the request for preventive detention, the existence of a very serious crime committed intentionally and which would not depend on the complaints of any victim was taken into account. The fact that the crime is not bailable was also taken into account.