Sérgio Antonio Lopes, a 60-year-old pilot, has had his detention affirmed by the courts following a custody hearing on October 10. He was arrested on October 9 at the Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, facing accusations of involvement in a criminal structure focused on the sexual exploitation of minors. During the hearing, Lopes was represented by an attorney, and according to the Justice Court's press office, all legal protocols were followed, allowing his continued incarceration. The case is currently secret, limiting the information available to the public or press.

Alongside Lopes, a grandmother suspected of forcing her granddaughters to meet the pilot, as well as the mother of a third adolescent involved, also faced custody hearings where their detention was upheld. The Department of Homicides and Protection of People (DHPP) is handling the investigation, which remains sensitive and under wraps due to its serious nature. Reports indicate that Lopes’s case is part of a larger network of exploitation that authorities are working to uncover.

Attempts to reach Lopes’s legal defense have been unsuccessful, which underscores the delicate nature of the legal proceedings. The incident raises significant concerns about the safety and protection of children in Brazil, prompting discussions about legal measures and societal responsibilities in addressing such heinous crimes. The court’s decision to maintain the pilot's detention signals a commitment to thorough investigation amidst these grave allegations.