Pastor and businessman Márcio Poncio may serve imprisonment at home following a decision by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court. The conversion of preventive care into home care was conditioned on the use of an electronic ankle monitor and compliance with other restrictions.
Moraes sends pastor Márcio Poncio to house arrest
Pastor and businessman Márcio Poncio may serve imprisonment at home following a decision by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court. The conversion of preventive care into home care was conditioned on...
The change was authorized for health reasons. Poncio has severe ulcerative colitis, has already undergone surgery to remove the large intestine and rectum and depends on permanent medical monitoring. Moraes also considered the fact that the suspect's wife faced a high-risk pregnancy.
Arrested by the Federal Police on the 2nd, Poncio was located in a flat in Barra da Tijuca, in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The capture occurred during the fifth stage of Operation Nail and Flesh, which investigates possible relationships between criminals, businesspeople and public agents in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition to him, the operation reached Adilson Oliveira Coutinho Filho, known as Adilsinho, and former state deputy Rodrigo Bacellar. The two were already arrested when the new warrants were issued.
Márcio Poncio is being investigated on suspicion of involvement with the group known as the Cigarette Mafia. Pastor of Igreja da Nuvem, he is also the father of state deputy Sarah Poncio and singer Saulo Poncio, former member of the duo UM44K.
Even outside prison, Poncio will have to follow a series of measures determined by the STF. He will not be able to contact other people under investigation, use social media or fail to hand over passports. Any authorizations to carry weapons must also be suspended.
Operação Unha e Carne attempts to clarify the origin and destination of resources allegedly moved by the Jogo do Bicho leadership and by members of the illegal cigarette trade. The Federal Police are investigating whether part of this money would have been used to supply laundering schemes and payments to representatives of the Executive and Legislative branches of Rio de Janeiro.
The suspicions gained strength from documents seized in another investigation, Operation Fumus, carried out in 2021. At the time, agents found spreadsheets with notes that, according to the PF, could indicate irregular transfers, electoral donations and financial transactions linked to the concealment of assets.
The records also raised the hypothesis of frequent payments to state politicians. At least 20 names would be under investigation for allegedly receiving money from Adilsinho, considered one of the main leaders of the game in Rio.
The offender was only located in February this year, in Cabo Frio, after almost five years on the run. The Federal Police used drones to confirm the address where he was.
In April, Minister Gilmar Mendes stated that he had received reports from a PF director that more than 30 state deputies from Rio de Janeiro could have received allowances linked to the Jogo do Bicho. The investigations continue.
Former nanny of the Poncios says she never leaked information
Cyntia Cyndel denies having been fired for telling details to the press and claims that she always kept her family confidential. Influencer also denies rumors that she received a salary of R$10,000 per month while working at pastor Márcio Poncio's house
Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
This story was originally published by Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora. Visit the original publication for further details.
Open original publication
