2 Brazilian church leaders indicted

A couple who lead a large Brazilian evangelical church were indicted on charges of illegally smuggling money into the United States _ hiding some of the cash in the pages of a Bible _ and making false statements.

Estevam Hernandes-Filho and Sonia Haddad Moraes Hernandes are charged with bulk cash smuggling, conspiracy and making false statements on U.S. customs forms in the indictment returned late last week. An arraignment is set for Tuesday.

They filled out paperwork claiming they had about $21,000 when they arrived in the United States Jan. 8 but were actually carrying more than $56,000, prosecutors say.

Each charge is punishable by up to five years in federal prison. Hernandes-Filho is named in four counts and his wife in five counts.

They are free on $100,000 bond but must remain largely confined to their Florida residence. A telephone message left after hours at the office of one of the couple's lawyers was not immediately returned.

Brazilian authorities have also charged the couple with taking millions of dollars from their Reborn in Christ Church to buy real estate and other assets for themselves. The church is one of Brazil's largest evangelical denominations.