ICE ERO Boston arrests criminal fugitive near Somerville, Massachusetts, convicted in Brazil on child rape charges
BOSTON – Officers with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston field office arrested Vagner Brito Paixao in Somerville, Massachusetts on May 25, a criminal fugitive previously convicted and sentenced to serve 14 years in prison on child rape charges in Brazil. The case was referred to ERO Boston by the ERO attaché in Brazil. Brito Paixao, 31, who posed a threat to public safety based on his conviction in Brazilian criminal court, was arrested without incident.
“Convicted child predators like Brito Paixao cannot use the United States to hide and avoid serving prison time,” said ERO Boston acting Field Office Director LaDeon Francis. “This predator would still be posing a threat to the community were it not for the outstanding efforts of our officers and critical law enforcement partners in Brazil. This arrest gives me great pride in the team of dedicated ICE officers we have in Boston who are deeply committed to protecting our communities.”
Brito Paixao entered the United States in March 2018, in New York, on a nonimmigrant B2 visa with authorization to remain in the United States for a temporary period that ended in September 2018. In February 2019, U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved an application from Brito Paixao to extend his nonimmigrant status until March 14, 2019. Brito Paixao remained in the United States beyond that date without authorization from the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Department of State revoked Brito Paixao’s nonimmigrant visa in June 2021.
ICE ERO Boston deemed Brito Paixao removable from the United States pursuant to criteria specified by the Immigration and Naturalization Act. He will be held in ICE ERO custody pending his removal and transfer to federal law enforcement authorities in Brazil. Brito Paixao has been sentenced in a Brazilian court to a term of 14 years imprisonment for the offense of child rape according to Brazilian law enforcement authorities, who issued a warrant for his apprehension.
ICE focuses its civil immigration enforcement priorities on the apprehension and removal of noncitizens who pose a threat to our national security, public safety, and border security.
Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) DHS-2-ICE or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.
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