The São Paulo Civil Police arrested this Saturday (11) Antônio Martins dos Santos Filho, known as “Nero do Piseiro”, suspected of leading an attack on a settlement of the (Landless Rural Workers Movement) in , in the Paraíba Valley. The action resulted in at least two deaths. According to delegate Marcos Rogério Pereira Machado, Nero was found in the Santa Tereza neighborhood, in , a city neighboring Tremembé. At the scene, police seized a motorcycle that may have been used in the crime. Investigations indicate that the suspect organized and participated in the attack, motivated by a land dispute in the settlement.
The delegate stated that Nero was recognized by survivors, who reported that the group responsible for the attack did not wear masks. According to the head of the Taubaté Sectional Police Station, Marcos Ricardo Parra, the suspect admitted involvement and is collaborating with the police, indicating possible hiding places of others involved.
Nero, 41 years old, has a history of intimidating MST members, according to reports from the movement. He allegedly made recurring threats over the last two years, including attempting to run over workers with a pickup truck. The MST claims that complaints were filed with the police, but no investigation was opened before the attack.
Born in Petrolina (PE), Nero has a criminal record for illegal possession of a firearm and was convicted in April 2024, but acquitted in the second instance in November of the same year. Father of seven children, he informed the police that he lives in a rural neighborhood of Tremembé, works independently and has an income of R$2,000 per month. Nero’s arrest will still be analyzed in a custody hearing to decide whether it will be maintained or converted into preventive custody. Investigations continue to locate others involved in the attack.
Published by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the help of AI
