While Melqui Galvao case is receiving the brunt of publicity, Brazilian court systems are dealing with another high profile case of SA in the BJJ community.
Alcenor Alves a former technical director at White House Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil was taken into custody on November 23 in Balneário Camboriú Santa Catarina while serving as a coach during a youth competition. The arrest came after years of reported misconduct with allegations pointing to a pattern of abuse carried out during training trips and events targeting students who were kids at the time.
In his first court appearance Alves exercised his right to remain silent. But the silence in that courtroom has not been the most disturbing part of what emerged from the broader legal proceedings.
According to attorneys involved in the case Alves did not remain entirely quiet throughout the investigation. Rather than acknowledging responsibility he reportedly turned the narrative around in a way that left legal observers and advocates appalled.
“Instead of confessing to the offense he attributed the blame to the children to the minors saying he was seduced by the children,” said one of the attorneys connected to the prosecution. “That is absurd.”
The case has been characterized in stark terms by those following it closely from within the sport.
“This is the biggest case of p***philia within world jiu-jitsu,” the attorney stated.
What began as individual disclosures grew into a broader reckoning for the global martial arts community. Among those who initially came forward were Matheus Gabriel and several other high profile competitors.
Following his arrest Alves was transferred to Manaus where the Specialized Police Station for the Protection of Children and Adolescents known as Depca took the lead on the inquiry. That investigation is now in its concluding stages with a formal presentation to the courts expected soon. Additional men have continued to come forward as the case has progressed further strengthening the body of accounts against him.
“This process is already in its final phase already concluded for sentencing and we expect an exemplary conviction,” the attorney said. “I hope this p***phile is banned from the sport.”
Those working on the prosecution also raised questions about how Alves’s partial statements should be weighed legally. Because he did not come forward voluntarily and instead redirected responsibility onto those who reported the conduct legal representatives argued his statements should not be treated as a formal confession.
“As assistant prosecutor in our closing arguments we tried to disqualify the confession because he did not confess spontaneously, “the attorney noted.
White House Jiu-Jitsu the academy where Alves served as technical director issued a public statement after his arrest formally distancing itself from the allegations.
For those involved in the case the legal outcome carries weight but so does the message it sends to others who may be afraid to speak up.
“What I have to say here is to encourage those who are suffering abuses at this moment to report it. This is not normal. Children don’t date. Children have to live childhood have to live life,” the attorney urged. “Advice to parents take care of your children be close to your children. Don’t delegate your children’s education to third parties.”
