Molina being a pedophile?
It is explicitly stated in the book and I don't remember exactly but fairly certain at least mentioned somewhat in the film.
Why is this glossed over by most fans of the film? Is it because we are to assume the chargers were false? Or that the under-age boy was close to the age of consent and we are to be lenient?
The age of consent in Brazil since 1990 has been 14, one of the lowest in the world. As well, since 1988 the country's LGBT community has been relatively well protected with recent statistics of nearly 11% of men identifying as gay or bi.
Furthermore,
The Penal Code of 1940 lowered the presumption of violence in sexual acts (equivalent of statutory rape) to 14 (Article 224, “a”, of the then Penal Code), but consensual sex with adolescents aged 14 to 17 could still be prosecuted under “corruption of minors” (Article 218) or “seduction of minors” (Article 217) while, in both cases, only parents could file charges to form a lawsuit (Article 225).
So 14 has been allowed since 1940 but from 1940-1990 the parents could still file charges under the corruption of minors banner.
Now, Molina is listed as 37 year old. So even if we assume he had consensual sex with a 17 year old that's not very appropriate. However we are not given exact detail and under Brazil law he could well have had intercourse with a 13 year old boy.
Regardless of the more appropriate relationship Molina and Valentin had in the film it's hard to shake Molina's past dealings. For sake of argument, if he had numerous relationships with boys aged 14-15 while being well in his 20s and older, that speaks to his character doesn't it?
Destination: Rad-City share