Amazonas Police indicts lawyer for extortion in rape case

By Marcela Leiros – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – The Civil Police of Amazonas (PC-AM) indicted, on May 15, lawyer Adriane Cristine Cabral Magalhães for the crime of extortion against fellow lawyer Francisco Charles Garcia Júnior, 43, who is under investigation for rape in Manaus (AM), and his wife, Juliana Chaves Coimbra Garcia. Charles Garcia is the nephew of former Parintins (AM) mayor Frank Bi Garcia (PSD).

In April of this year, the lawyer was accused of rape against former receptionist Marcella Nascimento Pinto, 34. After the Police Report (BO) was filed, Charles Garcia accused lawyer Adriane Magalhães, who represents Marcella, of trying “to profit illicitly” through the former employee who worked at his law firm in the Central-South Zone of Manaus.

The chief of the 16th Integrated Police District (DIP), Grace Louisa Souza Jardim, stated in Police Inquiry No. 10740/2025 that there is sufficient evidence of extortion committed by lawyer Adriane Cristine Cabral Magalhães. The crime is defined as “forcing someone, through violence or serious threat, and with the intent of obtaining undue economic advantage for oneself or others, to do, tolerate the doing, or refrain from doing something.”

The police authority also cited signs of attempted witness coercion by Adriane Cristine Cabral Magalhães, regarding an approach made to a former employee of Charles Garcia, identified as Najla Salim.

Also according to the chief, evidence found indicates that Adriane Magalhães approached Juliana Chaves Coimbra Garcia, Charles Garcia’s wife, to report the rape—which had not yet been formally reported to police—and suggested an agreement to “avoid exposure and a complaint.”

She also established a deadline for a response, reiterated the proposal to third parties, referred to specific amounts, “reinforcing the economic condition as an impediment to legal actions or public exposure”; and attempted to co-opt former employees and witnesses to support the narrative, “with persistence and emotional manipulation.”

After the investigation concluded, the inquiry was forwarded to the Judiciary. In a statement, Adriane Magalhães’s defense stated it had not yet been notified of the indictment and that the lawyer is not a party in the criminal case. The defense also referred to the news of the indictment as a “leak of information” and said it will take appropriate legal action to identify the origin of the “improper disclosure” and hold those involved accountable. (See the full statement at the end of the article)

Also in a statement, Charles Garcia commented on the indictment and said he has never yielded—and will never yield—to intimidation. He reaffirmed his full confidence in the actions of the Civil Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the Judiciary of Amazonas. “This statement reinforces that the facts are now supported by concrete evidence and that the extortion is being addressed through the investigative actions of the competent authorities,” he said. (See the full statement at the end of the article)

Understanding the case

According to the investigation, Adriane Magalhães approached Juliana Chaves Coimbra Garcia on April 4 of this year to discuss a rape case committed by Charles Garcia against Marcella. At the time, according to the inquiry and statements from the couple, the lawyer suggested a R$500,000 agreement to avoid formal complaint and public disclosure. The rape complaint was filed with the Amazonas police three days later, on the 7th of that month.

“That the lawyer suggested that, given the seriousness of the situation, the ideal would be to make a deal. That such agreement would be made so that the alleged victim would not go to the police station and not expose the situation to blogs. That, according to the lawyer, the alleged victim would expose this situation publicly. That the victim wanted to go to the police station, but the lawyer advised her to wait,” narrated chief Grace Louisa Souza Jardim.

The inquiry also states that Charles Garcia’s lawyer, Antônio Lúcio, also met with the lawyer, during which he was asked to present the payment proposal to Garcia. According to Adriane, victim Marcella wanted R$1 million, but the lawyer proposed R$500,000.

“Antônio Lúcio reports that the lawyer allegedly told the declarant to take the proposal of R$500,000 to Dr. Charles, so the case would be resolved. That the declarant said there was no turning back if the procedure had already been initiated. That the lawyer said that wouldn’t be a problem, that the victim wouldn’t proceed if there was an agreement,” the document states.

Another former employee, Najla Salim, also reported in the inquiry that she was approached by Marcella to become involved in the case, which she refused. She stated that she was harassed and coerced by Adriane Magalhães.

Finally, in the inquiry records, lawyer Adriane Magalhães stated that she contacted Juliana Garcia to inform her about serious allegations of sexual abuse and moral harassment against Charles Garcia and said the intent was to “prepare” Juliana for the facts. Magalhães vehemently denied any attempt at extortion.

Rape accusation

Marcella Nascimento Pinto, 34, reported lawyer Francisco Charles Garcia Júnior to the Civil Police of Amazonas (PC-AM) for the crime of rape in April this year. According to the Police Report (BO), the man sexually assaulted the victim on two occasions and threatened her with a firearm.

According to the woman, the abuse occurred when the lawyer requested her assistance at a law office located in the Adrianópolis neighborhood, in the Central-South Zone of Manaus. Marcella also said she was assaulted during one of the incidents and had her cell phone taken by the suspect. The case was reported to the Specialized Police Station for Crimes Against Women (DECCM).

“He would hide my phone so I couldn’t record anything or defend myself. That day when I went upstairs [to where Francisco Júnior was], he made me touch his genitals,” reads part of a statement.

In addition to the BO filed on April 7, 2025, the authorities also requested a protective order from the Amazonas Court of Justice (TJAM) in favor of the victim. Among the requests made by PC-AM were: prohibition of approaching the victim, relatives, and witnesses; and prohibition of contact with the victim and witnesses by any means.

Marcella also requested a criminal investigation against lawyer Francisco Garcia Júnior “for the crime of rape, authorizing the police procedure based on the facts described in the Police Report.” After formalizing the request, PC-AM began investigating the suspect.

At the time, through a statement on Instagram, lawyer Charles Garcia Júnior said he was being extorted by the accuser and her lawyer for 15 days.

See the full statement from Adriane Magalhães:

“In a statement, Adriane Magalhães’s defense stated it had not yet been notified of the indictment and that the lawyer is not a party in the criminal case. The defense also referred to the news of the indictment as a “leak of information” and said it will take appropriate legal action to identify the origin of the “improper disclosure” and hold those involved accountable.

This statement aims to clarify, objectively and responsibly, the recent rumors spread by some media outlets involving the alleged indictment of lawyer Dr. Adriane Magalhães, a professional with an unblemished reputation and a long-standing career dedicated to ethical, technical, and combative advocacy.

It is important to note that, to date, there has been no official notification to the interested parties regarding any indictment of Dr. Adriane. Furthermore, the disclosure of information from a proceeding that is supposedly confidential is concerning, contradicting basic principles of due process, presumption of innocence, and respect for fundamental guarantees.

The selective and decontextualized exposure of data, even if unconfirmed, seriously harms the professional’s image and reputation and affronts the Democratic Rule of Law. We reiterate that Dr. Adriane is not a party in any criminal action, which makes the alleged “leak” of information protected by judicial secrecy even more serious.

The professional’s legal team is closely monitoring the developments and will take all appropriate legal measures to identify the origin of the improper disclosure and hold those responsible for any abuses.

Finally, we reaffirm Dr. Adriane Magalhães’s commitment to the unwavering defense of legality, justice, and ethics. Her work has always been guided by respect for institutions and the fight for fundamental rights, and she is recognized by peers, clients, and the legal community as a serious, committed, and respectable lawyer.

We call on the press to act with responsibility and caution to avoid hasty conclusions and irreparable harm to the honor of a professional whose career is marked by respect for the law and the Constitution.”

Sincerely,
Dr. Maisa Morais da Silva Sousa
OAB/AM 8.055
Lawyer for Dr. Adriane Magalhães

See the full statement from Charles Garcia:

“The Civil Police of Amazonas indicted, on Thursday (15), lawyer Adriane Cristine Cabral Magalhães for the crime of extortion, as defined in Article 158 of the Penal Code. The indictment is formalized in Police Inquiry No. 0131537-70.2025.8.04.1000 and recognizes the attempt to obtain undue advantage against lawyer Francisco Charles Cunha Garcia Júnior and his wife, Juliana Chaves Coimbra.

The investigations conducted by the 16th Integrated Police District (DIP) confirmed that the accused attempted to extort R$500,000 from the couple. Compelling evidence was gathered, such as recordings, messages, and notarized documents, which prove the criminal act.

I also emphasize that I have never yielded and will never yield to intimidation and reaffirm my full confidence in the actions of the Civil Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the Judiciary of Amazonas.

This statement reinforces that the facts are now supported by concrete evidence and that the extortion is being addressed through the investigative actions of the competent authorities.

The truth will prevail.”

Press Office – Charles Garcia
Manaus, May 21, 2025

See the full police inquiry:

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves