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oao Teixeira de Faria, 76, better known as "Joao de Deus" or "John of God," was arrested December 16 after women came forward in Brazilian media and to police to allege he sexually forced himself on them on pretext of "curing" them of ailments.

The faith healer - made world famous by US TV celebrity Oprah Winfrey in a show broadcast in 2013 - denies the accusations.

Nearly 600 complaints were sent to police this month. But many have had to be excluded from the criminal investigation because the acts they alleged happened so many years ago the statute of limitations had lapsed.

Prosecutors in Goias state handling the case told reporters that 255 women had been identified as potential victims whose allegations were being taken into account. Their ages ranged between 9 and 67 at the time they said they were abused.

Police conducted raids on properties linked to Faria and found handguns, gemstones and - hidden behind a false panel in a wardrobe - a suitcase containing the equivalent of US$300,000 in cash.

Just before his arrest, transactions amounting to US$9 million were detected in Faria's accounts.

"CRIMINAL ORGANISATION"

The discovery of the weapons prompted a judge on Friday to order additional charges against Faria, saying the investigation suggested the faith healer could be "heading a criminal organisation," according to the G1 news website.


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Because of the depth of her experience during her initial visit to the Casa, she was enthused to begin this part of her “mission,” and became the first North American guide to the Casa, now taking people there from all over the world. At John of God’s request, she also accompanies him on the rare occasions when he works outside of Brazil, to assist in the healing work at these events.