Influencer Hytalo Santos and husband arrested in São Paulo

The influencer Hytalo Santos and his husband, Israel Nata Vicente, were arrested on Friday (15) in São Paulo, following warrants issued by the 2nd Court of Bayeux, Paraíba. According to the MPPB (Public Ministry of Paraíba), the investigations are focusing on crimes of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. ‘Criminal investigations have been conducted with technical rigor and absolute respect for the rights and dignity of the victims, especially children and adolescents. However, the leakage of confidential information and the implementation of civil measures, dissociated from the proper methods of criminal investigation, have hindered the efficiency and safety of investigative work, potentially exposing victims to new risks,’ the MP said in a statement. The arrest was carried out by civil police from the DEIC (State Department of Criminal Investigations) in São Paulo, with the support of the PRF (Federal Highway Police). The investigation is being conducted by the MPPB (Public Ministry of the State of Paraíba), through the GAECO (Special Group for Combating Organized Crime), in collaboration with the Public Ministry of Labor, the Civil Police of Paraíba, through the UNINTEPOL and DECC, the CIBERLAB – Cyber Operations Laboratory of the DIOPI (Directorate of Integrated Operations and Intelligence) of the SENASP/MJSP (National Secretariat of Public Security). ‘The Public Ministry and its partner institutions reiterate their non-negotiable commitment to the defense of children and adolescents, remaining steadfast and integrated in the fight against this serious crime, and call on society to support this mission through responsible reporting and the preservation of the victims’ dignity,’ the MPPB note concluded. CNN contacted Hytalo Santos’ defense and is awaiting a response.