Brazil faith healer accused of sexual abuse turns himself in
PUBLISHED ONDecember 17, 2018 2:05 AM
BRASILIA - A Brazilian faith healer who was accused of sexual abuse by more than 300 women has turned himself in a day after being officially ruled a fugitive, local news media reported on Sunday (Dec 16).
João Teixeira de Faria, known as "John of God" and who became a celebrity when Oprah Winfrey broadcast a report on his healing methods in 2013, surrendered to authorities in a roadway in Abadiânia, several news outlets said.
Since 1976, he has led a spiritual centre in Abadiânia, a small town in the central Brazilian state of Goiás.
Representatives for Faria and the police could not be immediately reached for comment.
A judge on Friday had issued an arrest warrant for Faria giving until 2 pm (12am Singapore time) on Saturday to surrender. After he failed to report to authorities, Faria was officially ruled a fugitive.
Faria drew thousands of Brazilians and foreigners to his spiritual centre in Abadiânia.
Faria denied the accusations on Thursday when he visited his centre and spoke to a crowd of followers. His lawyer on Saturday said Faria would turn himself in and file an appeal on Monday.
Faria, 76, could face charges of rape, with a prison sentence of 10 years if convicted, and rape of a vulnerable person, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years.
