From Prison, Erberth Santos Denies Accusations “I would Never do Something Like This”
The IBJJF 2017 World Champion Erberth Santos recently shared a message on Instagram, regarding his 2023 arrest in Brazil.
On August 24 of that year, Santos was arrested in Boituva, a rural city in the state of São Paulo. Since then, little has been heard from the former top-level athlete. However, a recent Instagram post on Erberth Santos’ official account shed light on how the athlete feels after one year of incarceration.
Santos expressed his feelings about his imprisonment, stating that while a year may have passed quickly for many, it has dragged on for him. He lamented his loss of freedom, drawing a poignant comparison to a bird in a cage:
“I, who never liked to see a bird in a cage, because I understand that a bird doesn’t sing in a cage, it cries.” Despite the isolation, he remains grateful for the support of his family: “I have my family who, even with the 6000 km distance, give me all the support here inside this place.“
Reflecting on his past, Santos acknowledged some mistakes but firmly denied the accusations against him:
“So they would know that I would never do something like this, something I despise. But I also have my share of guilt; after all, I’m not naive, I’m no saint, and that’s why I’m here paying the price for my wrong choices.”
He spoke of his travels across Brazil, his love for freedom, and his deep sense of regret for not valuing the gift of being one of the best BJJ fighters in the world. Despite his current situation, he expressed hope and faith, mentioning that he has found solace in his renewed relationship with God, claiming to be “reborn in Christ“.
Santos ended his message with a call to not wish his fate upon anyone, emphasizing the lessons he has learned and the inner strength he has discovered during this challenging period:
“I want to tell everyone that I don’t wish this life on my worst enemy…God does not give a burden heavier than we can carry. He has been my support, takes care of me even amid this darkness.“
About Erberth Santos Arrest
As reported by G1, Erberth was arrested by the São Paulo Military Highway Police in August of 2023. The operation was based on information from the Mato Grosso do Sul Shock Battalion, which had been seeking the suspects for crimes committed in their state.
Police investigations detail how Santos and his partner André Pessoa were arrested after a series of robberies and sexual assaults committed across various Brazilian cities. Inquiries reveal that Erberth raped at least 4 different women during the occurrences, while also threatening the lives of the victims with knives and firearms.
Brazilian TV network “SBT” shared a video of one of these crimes. In the footage that took place in the city of Três Lagoas, Erberth Santos is seen holding a knife after storming through a woman’s home, while his partner checks for stuff to be robbed. The network reported that the woman in the video was robbed and sexually assaulted by the duo, who later fled to Boituva.
After the arrest, the duo was found with 26 different phones. According to a statement from law enforcement, the fighters confessed to all the crimes to the police.
The Civil Police of Mato Grosso do Sul reported that four women approached the DEAM (Specialized Police Station for Women) in the capital, alleging that they were both raped and robbed by the athletes. In addition, a woman from Três Lagoas and a gas station attendant from Terenos identified the suspects as the culprits behind the robbery.
The 31-year-old still awaits sentence. According to legal procedure, Erberth is accused of a serious crime, and the minimum sentence is at least 4 years under detention.
