Rio Police Accuse Brazilian YouTuber Icon Felipe Neto of Corruption of Minors

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Thursday, November 5th, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro filed charges against YouTuber Felipe Neto, accused of disclosing material inappropriate for children and adolescents on his YouTube channel. In a statement, the DRCI reported that investigations began after a briefing by the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety, led by André Mendonça.

The portfolio failed to clarify what type of file was sent and when the document was prepared. The Ministry of Justice has already been the target of a proceeding in the Supreme Court for having created a file against government opponents.

The DRCI stated in a note that the digital influencer would not have limited the age rating of videos with content and language inappropriate for minors, which could be classified as corruption of minors. The indictment is only a first step and is the conclusion of investigations – the indictment and prosecution of the case are left to the Prosecutor’s Office, which may choose to dismiss it.

Through social media, the YouTuber stated that the inquiry is investigating false accusations and misinformation which have been devised and organized by members of the far-right for months.

“Felipe Neto adds that when he began to vigorously oppose the absurdities of the Bolsonaro government, he was already prepared to face all kinds of attacks committed through the articulation of hatred, from the spread of false news to accusations, associating him with crimes, in an attempt to undermine his image and reputation,” said the note released by the YouTuber’s advisory.

Read the note from the Rio Civil Police

The Computer Crimes Deterrence Department (DRCI) filed charges on Thursday, November 5th, accusing YouTuber and digital influencer Felipe Neto of corruption of minors. The investigations began after a briefing by the Ministry of Justice. He was indicted for disclosing material inappropriate to children and adolescents in his YouTube channel and for not limiting the age rating of videos with content and language inappropriate for minors.

Felipe Neto’s comments

“Felipe Neto reiterates that the inquiry is investigating false accusations and misinformation which have been devised and organized by members of the far-right for months, who are deeply troubled by criticism of the Bolsonaro government. Felipe Neto states that he has provided all the required clarifications, but the police chief, having taken no depositions or conducted any investigation, has decided to indict him.

Confident in the Judiciary, the YouTuber remains firmly confident and reassured that he has never committed any crime and also reiterates that everything that has occurred will still be analyzed by a prosecutor. Felipe Neto adds that, when he began to vigorously oppose the absurdities of the Bolsonaro government, he was already prepared to face all kinds of attacks committed through the articulation of hatred, from the spread of false news to accusations, associating him with crimes, in an attempt to undermine his image and reputation”.

The report made contact with the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety and awaits a reply.

Felipe Neto Rodrigues Vieira (born January 21, 1988) is a Brazilian manager, vlogger, actor, comedy actor, and writer. He is a well known YouTuber in Brazil with more than 37 million subscribers, making his channel the 31st most-subscribed on the website.