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Teenage BJJ Student Details Sexual Abuse From Convicted Rapist Instructor Nicollas Araujo

Teenage BJJ Student Details Sexual Abuse From Convicted Rapist Instructor Nicollas Araujo

BJJ instructor and former Cobrinha affiliate Nicollas Welker Araujo  was arrested last year on on suspicion of raping his female minor student Stevie Knapp,  abc7 reported.

Earlier this week, Araujo was tried and convicted of sexually abusing Knapp from ages 13 to 15 and will be deported following a three year prison sentence.

Araujo owns Overall Brazilian Jiujitsu Academy, which he opened in 2016. He is also the head trainer.

According to the report there were rumors of parents complaining about inappropriate behavior by Araujo.

Araujo described himself online as:

“Black Belt Pro Fighter 🏆 Overall Brazilian Jiu Jitsu founder ✖️Shoyoroll✖️ Cobrinha BJJ 🇧🇷🇺🇸 EUA/ California”

Rubens Charles Cobrinha last year issued the following statement following arrest:

“Trust and respect are part of the very foundation of student / instructor relationships. They are principles I expect from my jiu jitsu community. And they are at the core of what Cobrinha Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brand represents. Any breach of that trust is unacceptable. Sexual assault or any inappropriate, unwanted contact are the most egregious examples of violating that trust.
This week, I learned the unconscionable news that an individual who used to represent Cobrinha Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as an affiliate has been arrested on suspicion of rape and lewd acts with a child. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. They have my full support and hopes that justice prevails and that their victimizer is harshly punished.
Upon hearing the news, we immediately terminated our affiliation with the accused. We stand together with the entire Cobrinha Brazilian Jiu Jitsu family of affiliates to condemn those actions and lift up the victims, and we will continue working to create a positive environment for all of our jiu jitsu family members.
-Cobrinha”

Knapp is currently a blue belt and even medalled at Pan last year. She left her academy and bounced around different academies. She made the following statement on her instagram detailing the ordeal:

“After nearly two years of battling to get my molester put away in Federal Prison it finally happened. Nicollas Welker Araujo My former Coach will serve 3 years in prison and after he will be deported back to Brazil. Nicollas sexually, mentally, and physically abused me from the time I was 13 until I was 15. I was brainwashed and tortured by him daily and it seemed impossible to escape him until finally I found the courage to leave and speak up. Today I got to make a statement in court in front of him and my family members. Swipe left to see my statement (it was too big to write here)”