Man claiming to be 'psychic surgeon' sentenced to nearly 500 years in jail after facing over 600 accusations

A man who claimed to be a self-proclaimed 'psychic surgeon' was sentenced to 489 years and four months in prison on charges including sexual assault.

João Teixeira de Faria from Brazil was a widely-known psychic and medium who called himself a 'psychic surgeon'.

Faria was even interviewed by Oprah Winfrey when the TV presenter travelled to Brazil as part of the second season of Oprah's Next Chapter in 2013.

Oprah subsequently released a statement saying: "I empathize with the women now coming forward and hope justice is served."

This was not his only appearance on TV either, with Faria also being interviewed by ABC about the 'treatments' he claimed to be offering.

This followed five people who were suffering with a range of medical conditions and who had gone to Faria for 'help'.

As part of the segment skeptic James Randi was interviewed, but expressed concern that parts of his interview criticising Faria were cut from the final segment.

Faria operated from the town of Abadiânia in the Brazilian interior.

Joao Teixeira de Faria was sentenced to over 400 years behind bars (EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2018 disturbing allegations about Faria came to light, with several women claiming Faria had sexually abused them.

Reporting at the time, the New York Times called Faria the 'first major Brazilian casualty of the #MeToo movement'.

The women shared their accounts in an appearance on a Brazilian TV show.

After the episode aired dozens of other women started to come forward with their own accounts of abuse at the hands of Faria, who also called himself 'John of God'.

The district attorney's office in the Brazilian state of Goiás set up a dedicated task force including five prosecutors and two psychologists to investigate the case.

In just 36 hours the task force went on to receive a further 78 complaints according to prosecutor Patrícia Otoni.

Speaking to the New York Times at the time, Otoni said: "We have a serious challenge ahead. We want to show the victims that they can trust us, that even someone who is famous and internationally admired can be investigated.

João Teixeira de Faria was dubbed a 'psychic surgeon' (EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images)

"But we also need to analyze each complaint before rushing to conclusions."

Faria denied the accusations, with a spokesperson claiming that the mounting accusation had a 'lynch mob' feeling.

Accusations quickly mounted, and in the end more than 600 accusations of sexual abuse would be made against Faria.

The allegations ranged between 1986 and 2017, and the youngest accuser claimed to be just 14 years old at the time.

Ultimately an arrest warrant was issued and Faria handed himself in to police.

He was sentenced to 118 years, six months, and 15 days in prison over the sexual assault charges.

Following the trial he was also convicted of a number of other offences including illegal possession of a firearm.

In total, his sentences add up to 489 years and four months.

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