Brazilian Pan-Am athlete wanted for sexual assault

By Frank Pingue TORONTO (Reuters) – A member of Brazil’s water polo team that won a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games is wanted on a warrant for his arrest on charges of sexual assault, Toronto police said on Friday. Police in the host city of the July 10-26 Pan American Games said an arrest warrant has been issued for Thye Mattos Ventura Bezerra, 27, after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted. The backup goalkeeper and an unnamed teammate, who police do not currently consider a suspect, are believed to have gone to the 22-year-old victim’s home with a friend. After the victim fell asleep, Bezerra allegedly entered her bedroom and sexually assaulted her hours before she was due to leave, police said. “There may be more victims,” ​​Sex Crimes Inspector Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said during a news conference. “That’s why his picture is in the public domain.” Police would not provide further details on the allegations, but in Canada, any form of unwanted sexual contact is considered sexual assault. This includes kissing, groping, oral sex and penetration, among others. Bezerra arrived in Toronto on July 3, ahead of the multi-sport competition between countries from North America, Latin America, South America and the Caribbean. He departed on July 16, a day after the men’s water polo competition ended. Brazil’s men’s water polo team is scheduled to compete in the world championships in Kazan, Russia, with its opening match against China on Monday. If Bezerra is in Russia or plans to travel there, police said there is a possibility they could issue a provisional arrest warrant and have him arrested and returned to Canada. Police also said Canada does not have an extradition agreement with Brazil regarding the offence, but negotiations are underway to have him returned to Canada to face the charges. “If he goes to Brazil, we don’t have an agreement with them at the moment,” Beaven-Desjardins said. “But if he goes to another country with which there is an agreement, he can be arrested.” (Edited by Ed Osmond/Mark Lamport-Stokes)