The 4th Police Station is investigating eight other possible victims of “serial rapist” Gabriel de Sá Campos (featured photo), 30 years old. The man is suspected of sexually assaulting at least four teenagers attending the Philadelphia Baptist Church in Guará 2.
Gabriel used his leadership position in teen ministry to gain privileged access to victims, exploiting the trust placed by families to commit recurring, premeditated abuse against young men.
The seriousness of the case increases with the identification of at least eight other possible victims. The teens are still being questioned by the investigation team, which could increase the number of crimes being investigated.
The former religious leader has been temporarily detained since last Friday (12/19) on suspicion of rape of a vulnerable person.
To date, the DF Civil Police have identified four victims of the faithful. The reports reveal a pattern of early violence: abuse against male victims, as young as 10 and 12 years old in two cases; a teenager, targeted between 13 and 17 years old; and a fourth victim, at 16 years old.
Operating mode
The operation, coordinated by delegate Herbert Léda, revealed systematic criminality which lasted at least six years within the religious institution.
THE modus operandi employed by the investigator demonstrated exquisite psychological manipulation and meticulous planning. Gabriel used his role as an instructor for a course on “sexual integrity” offered by the Church to adolescents and gained intimate information about the emotional vulnerabilities of minors.
One of the sexual abuses allegedly took place on church premises, during a sleepover under the suspect’s responsibility.
The complaints say the then-congregation member also invited the victims to watch movies at his home as a pretext to commit sexual offenses.
According to reports, he caressed the children’s private parts, who felt uncomfortable and asked him to stop, but he continued to do so insistently. To stop the harassment, some boys would hide in bathrooms or ask their parents to look for them.
The investigations nevertheless indicate that the victims would not have been concomitant. The suspect formed a bond with one of the targeted teenagers until he committed the abuse. After the younger man walked away, the older leader approached another young man.
The cases reported and under investigation are believed to have occurred since 2019. One of the victims interviewed has already reached the age of majority.
The Federal District Court ordered the temporary arrest of the person under investigation for a period of 30 days, which period can be extended by an equal period.
In addition, a search and seizure of the home, a violation of telematic secrecy, a violation of telephone secrecy for five years, as well as protection measures were also ordered, including a ban on approaching the victims within a radius of 300 meters and the immediate removal of any religious ceremony.
The delegate highlighted in a statement that “the Civil Police of the Federal District reaffirms its commitment to the full protection of children and adolescents and ensures that crimes against the sexual dignity of vulnerable people are rigorously investigated, regardless of the social, religious or family context in which they occur.”
“Involuntary act”
When he learned of one of these cases, in December 2024, the father of the indicted person and president of the Church described the events as a “joke” and an “unintentional act,” asking the family to remain silent.
At a leadership meeting in November this year, a deacon called the crimes “misunderstandings,” asking for a “pact of secrecy” and stating that “Church problems are solved in the Church, not in the police,” in a clear attempt to obstruct justice.
On the same occasion, a letter written by the suspect was read saying that he would withdraw from the church and his activities within the congregation.
However, Gabriel continued to attend services as normal and even access members-only areas of the church.
The reports also noted intimidating behavior by the mother of the person under investigation, who confronted minors without legal guardians present, accusing them of “false testimony” and threatening to sue the families.
The investigation continues with interviews with potential victims who have not yet been made official, the examination of the seized electronic devices, the investigation into possible coercion exercised by members of the religious authorities and the investigation into a possible omission on the part of the ecclesiastical authorities who were aware of the facts since December 2024 but chose not to contact the police authorities.
The other side
In a statement, the Philadelphia Baptist Church said that “the assertion that the person under investigation continued to work at the institution is false, as, throughout 2025, he no longer held any leadership role in the Church.” The Church also said the person under investigation is not, “and never has been,” a pastor at the institution.
“He has worked in the past as a volunteer member in leadership positions within the Adolescent Ministry. We also clarify that the family connection between the person under investigation and the presiding pastor has not and will never interfere with the disciplinary measures adopted by the Disciplinary Council or with the collaboration with the Civil Police and the Judiciary,” he said.
The Church has refuted any allegations that there was an attempt to cover up the facts or to discourage families from coming forward to authorities. “In all the consultations carried out, both by the Presidency and by the Disciplinary Council, it was made clear that families had complete freedom and institutional incentive to resort to police authorities. The Church understands that spiritual welcome in no way replaces the duty to seek justice from the State,” he said.
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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