A Lisboner born in 1980 (30 years old when arrested), Sotero had a degree in chemical engineering awarded by the Lisbon-based Instituto Superior Técnico, and worked as a data analyst for ZON Multimédia.
At the time of the scandal he was living with his long-time girlfriend in a recently purchased flat and planned to marry her.
The rapist had the habit of attacking on Tuesdays, and, when interrogated by the Portuguese Judiciary Police (PJ), said that he could not control his sexual impulses.
He was arrested on Friday, March 5, 2010, and detained at the PJ prison in Lisbon, where he remained until his case was heard in court.
[1][2][3] The case caught the attention of the Portuguese media even before the arrest, and it was widely covered by major newspapers, radio and television networks both before and after the identification of the criminal.