Leandro Mota Pereira, known in the religious community as Pai Leandro de Oxóssi, was arrested on October 10th in Sobradinho II, Federal District, following a warrant for his arrest issued by the Family and Domestic Violence Court. He had been evading authorities since August of 2025 and was taken into custody by the Military Police, proceeding to the 35th Police Station for processing. The accusations against him involve multiple instances of sexual assault against women and adolescents, with at least five individuals, including minors, coming forward as victims.

The investigation, which began in August 2025, revealed that Pereira allegedly perpetrated these crimes in a terreiro (a place of Candomblé worship) and a religious articles store, leading to protective measures being issued for the victims involved. The nature of these crimes has raised significant concerns within the community, prompting action from local authorities. Investigators are now working to uncover more details about the events that took place from 2024 to 2025, during which the abuses reportedly occurred.

The case highlights broader issues within the community regarding the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly minors in religious settings. The public outcry from the victims’ accounts has led to increased scrutiny of the organizations surrounding the accused, and ongoing investigations aim to ensure justice for the victims while addressing preventive measures to avoid future abuses within such sacred spaces.