Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

This Brazilian faith healer known convicted of nine counts of rape is now serving his time in his mansion after he was evacuated from prison over coronavirus fears.

Joao Teixeira de Faria, 77, known as Joao de Deus (Joao of God) was convicted of a total of nine counts of rape and of the illegal possession of firearms in December 2019 and January 2020 and sentenced to a total of 63 years and four months in prison.

He was serving his time at the Nucleo de Custodia prison complex in the city of Goiania in the central Brazilian state of Goias.

However, he was reportedly released on 31st March and is now serving his time in his “mansion” in the city of Anapolis in the same state.

The decision came after judge Rosangela Rodrigues dos Santos analysed cases in the state of prisoners who are considered ‘high-risk’ for coronavirus, such as elderly inmates, and ordered them to serve their time at home.

Local media report the faith healer’s house has two floors and is complete with a lift, a hydromassage bath and a glass bed. He will not be allowed to leave the house as he serves his sentence.

The Public Ministry of Goias said they would appeal the decision to have the convicted rapist serve his time at home.

In total, Joao de Deus was found guilty of nine counts of rape in the exercise of his trade where he would offer to heal his followers using their faith at a complex known as the ‘Casa de Dom Inacio’.

Reports state he told his followers he could treat everything from cancer to depression and he has reportedly been accused by 50 women of rape, nine of whom have seen their cases complete.

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