Wallace Souza is a famous host for a local Brazilian TV crime show. He is also a respected politician in the Amazonas state.

But he is losing his popularity fast.  State prosecutors accuse Souza of staging his TV shows’ crime scenes to boost ratings. Apparently, there is strong evidence that five of the crimes broadcasted on his show "Canal Livre" had been planned.

Wallace Souza denies all accusations. Instead he implies that crime gang leaders have set him up because he spoke against them on his shows.

[Wallace Souza, TV Crime Show Host]:
"There is a plot (against me), possibly by the organized crime itself ,which has great power and is trying to destroy me politically. Unfortunately, through part of the media, they are managing to do so, portraying me as a person linked to crime, when in reality I have spent my entire life (fighting against it)."

Wallace Souza was famous for showing dramatic police raids and having his crews on the spot before any other broadcasters. This swiftness sparked suspicion and police started to investigate. Souza says he had no connection to the crimes but instead positioned TV crews in key places.

[Wallace Souza, TV Crime Show Host]:
"We had (TV) crews working 24 hours in strategic points, and the best strategic point to find out where crimes, murders, and violent acts take place is in the morgue. You see, because that's where the information about bodies first arrives. When the crew received this information they would leave ahead of the ambulances and gather information in the crime scenes. I would also put crews on duty in the main police stations. That's how I have always worked, positioning crews in places where they received information quickly."

A Manaus resident says Souza became very popular because most people saw him as a savior.

[Marcos Soares, Manaus Resident]:
"People used to see him as the city sheriff, since mayors, governors and police representatives did not manage to fix the city's problems. People believed in him and had trust in him, as if he were a savior."

Another Manaus resident says if the accusations against Souza are proven true, it is a disgrace for the country.

[Luis Fernandes, Retired Army Member]:
"Shame on us. If the favelas in Rio de Janeiro are a shame for the city, it is people like him, who join politics to make justice with their own hands, that are a shame on us."

Souza is also accused of trafficking drugs and firearms. Investigators have seized some $175,000 US dollars, illegal firearms and ammunition from a safe in his house.