School director arrested for interfering in sexual abuse investigation in Pará

Marcos José Feitosa Lopes, a school director in the Pedra Branca community near the Tapajós River, was arrested on Monday during the ‘Operação Silêncio Rompido’ (Broken Silence Operation). He is suspected of interfering in investigations regarding sexual crimes committed by a teacher, Gease Fonseca da Silva.

Investigators allege that Lopes used threats and other tactics to pressure victims and their families to change their testimonies, thereby obstructing the police investigation. This arrest follows previous judicial orders that had already restricted the director and his wife, a teacher, from contacting victims or returning to the community. Despite these precautionary measures, authorities determined that the suspects continued to attempt to influence the case.

The underlying investigation involves allegations that Gease Fonseca da Silva sexually assaulted at least eight students, including children and adolescents aged between 8 and 14. The police are working to ensure that witnesses can provide testimony without fear of retaliation.