The influencer, who goes by the name Victor Bonato on social media, had a temporary arrest warrant issued by the Justice after the three women reported the crimes to the Women’s Defense Police Station in Barueri, in the metropolitan region. The investigation is under seal.
His lawyer, Samara Batista Santos, denies that her client committed the rapes. Bonato has not yet been heard by the delegate in charge of the investigations, according to his defense.
Bonato is the founder of the Galpão movement, based in Alphaville. He has 149 thousand followers on social media.
Prior to his arrest, the influencer recorded a video in which he apologized for his actions. In one part, he admits to having committed some sins in recent months and having fallen into immorality and iniquity, going against everything he preaches. He admits to having failed his family.
Bonato also states that he has stepped down from his leadership position in Galpão due to his own mistakes.
“I have made mistakes as a man, and I am here confessing and asking for forgiveness as a man. I want to apologize to the girls whom I failed, whom I disappointed, whom I hurt, and for not acting as a man.”
The report questioned the lawyer about the reason behind the apology. According to Santos, the forgiveness he sought is related to religious sins and not to the legal accusations against him.
“At the moment he recorded the video, he was not even aware of the allegations. Having multiple intimate relationships is not a crime in itself. At the appropriate time, the defense will gather all the evidence within the context, which will prove his innocence,” Santos said.
One day before his arrest, the Galpão movement published a note on its Instagram profile announcing Bonato’s departure. The justification given was that some events directly contradict what Galpão believes and follows.
