Former IBJJF World Champion Erberth Santos has been sentenced to 14 years, seven months, and 21 days in prison by Judge Daniel Scaramella Moreira of the 2nd Criminal Court of Três Lagoas, Brazil, for robbery and SA crimes committed in Mato Grosso do Sul.
His co-conspirator, André Pessoa, was also convicted. André was sentenced to 8 years, one month and 23 days in prison for theft – unlike Santos who also git sentenced for r*pe.
Erberth had spoken to about his difficult past and his relationship with crime back in 2014. He trained since he was 9 years old in a social project. He detailed going back and forth between dedication to sports and the path of crime.
Ironically, the Santos and his co-conspirator were in Mato Grosso do Sul where they were arrested for an event about “changing lives through sport” in Aquidauana, but did not attend. Erberth Santos and Pessoa both admitted what they’ve done to police in light of getting caught on security video.
Santos, who was once celebrated for his achievements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including victories at prestigious tournaments like the Abu Dhabi World Pro and Pan-American Championships, has experienced a dramatic fall from grace. They were charged in relation to SA and robbery of at least 4 women with a gas store clerk incriminating them in another theft.
The former champion recently broke his year-long silence with an emotional Instagram post from jail, shared through an intermediary. In the post, Santos reflected on his situation, writing, “While time may have passed quickly for others, it has been excruciatingly slow for me.” He acknowledged making wrong choices that led to his current circumstances and expressed regret for not fully appreciating his God-given talent in BJJ.
Santos’ message took on a religious tone as he claimed to have been “born again in Christ” and described finding refuge in his faith during his incarceration. Despite contemplating giving up, he credited his family’s support and spiritual beliefs for helping him endure his time behind bars.
The sentencing marks a definitive end to Santos’ competitive career and serves as a sobering reminder of his dramatic descent from being one of the sport’s most promising athletes to facing over a decade in prison. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu community has widely condemned his actions, leaving a once-celebrated legacy now permanently tarnished by serious criminal convictions.
Santos’s social media remains silent for now.
