A Brazilian fugitive, convicted of child rape and residing illegally in the U.S., was apprehended by Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO) officials in Martha's Vineyard earlier this month.
The fugitive, Saulo Cardoso Ferreira, 37, was arrested by the ERO, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following a traffic stop in West Tisbury on November 14, as per an ERO report.
Todd Lyons, ERO Boston Field Office Director, expressed his concern over the threat posed by the undocumented Brazilian national to the residents of Martha's Vineyard. "He sexually assaulted a five-year-old child in his homeland and then ran from authorities when held accountable for his actions," Lyons stated.
He further emphasized ERO Boston's commitment to protecting the community, vowing to "apprehend and remove anyone who attempts to use our New England community as a refuge from justice."
Cardoso Ferreira is reportedly sought in Brazil for evading a prison sentence for the rape of a 5-year-old child. The ERO reported that after accumulating multiple criminal convictions in Brazil, Cardoso Ferreira was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
However, before his sentencing in May 2019, he fled Brazil, prompting the 2nd Criminal Court of Sorriso to issue a warrant for his arrest. It remains unclear how or when Cardoso Ferreira entered the U.S., but ERO Boston became aware of his presence in Martha's Vineyard on September 28.
Cardoso Ferreira is expected to remain in ERO custody pending his removal proceedings. According to ICE data, the ERO has arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories in the fiscal year 2022.
Martha's Vineyard has been in the spotlight recently due to the ongoing southern border crisis and record numbers of crossings. The island became a topic of discussion after Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis controversially transported illegal immigrants there. Reportedly, some of these immigrants have stayed on the island, finding employment with local residents.
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