A 31-year-old jiu-jitsu instructor, Junior Pionga, was arrested Tuesday in Novo Airão, Amazonas, following an extensive investigation into allegations of grooming, stalking, and threatening teenage students under his care.
According to Chief Rodrigo Monfroni of the 77th Interactive Police Precinct, the investigation began in January 2023 when the media manager of Pionga’s jiu-jitsu social project filed a police report after discovering disturbing social media conversations between the instructor and minors. Globo was first to report.
Evidence revealed that Pionga had sent inappropriate messages with sexual content to multiple underage students, including requesting intimate photos from a 13-year-old girl. When confronted about his behavior, Pionga allegedly began a campaign of harassment against those who spoke out, even firing two teachers who testified about his inappropriate conduct.
During the investigation, authorities uncovered that Pionga is also facing two separate cases of statutory rape from 2023, involving individuals aged 11 and 13. One of the 13-year-olds reported receiving explicit messages and being inappropriately touched during training sessions.
The case took an even more sinister turn in February when the mother of an 11-year-old reported being physically attacked by two armed men who demanded she withdraw her complaint. They delivered a chilling message: “If something happens to Júnior Pionga, the message has already been sent.”
Just ten days after this incident, the target’s 17-year-old brother was allegedly attacked in public as retaliation.
The 11-year-old confirmed receiving personal photos from Pionga on her cell phone, accompanied by threats: “I’m a black belt, I can break you in the street. No one will believe you.”
In a particularly disturbing development, authorities reported that the 11-year-old attempted to end their life after becoming the target of mockery and offensive comments from other students following the public exposure of the case.
Chief Monfroni stated that Pionga’s conduct demonstrates “a systematic pattern of abuse and intimidation.” When screenshots of incriminating conversations became public, Pionga allegedly called a meeting with students’ parents and publicly humiliated the mother of the 11-year-old, claiming the complaint had been resolved.
Based on the evidence gathered, Pionga was located and arrested on Tuesday. He faces multiple charges including aggravated persecution against children and adolescents, witness coercion, and illegal constraint with the use of a firearm.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine if there may be additional targets.
