Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO) officials reportedly arrested a convicted Brazilian convicted child rapist, illegally staying in the U.S., in Martha’s Vineyard earlier in November.
Identified by the MV Times as Saulo Cardoso Ferreira, 37, the EPO, a division within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arrested the Brazilian fugitive following a traffic stop in West Tisbury on Nov. 14, according to an ERO report. (RELATED: ‘Don’t Want To Show Us Anywhere Else’: Migrants Reportedly Lament Taxpayer-Funded Shelter Doesn’t Come With TV)
“This undocumented Brazilian national represented a significant threat to the inhabitants of Martha’s Vineyard,” ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons stated. “He sexually assaulted a five-year-old child in his homeland and then ran from authorities when held accountable for his actions.”
“ERO Boston will not allow such predators to threaten our residents. We will continue to apprehend and remove anyone who attempts to use our New England community as a refuge from justice.”
Cardoso Ferreira is reportedly wanted within Brazil for a failure to serve a prison sentence for raping a 5-year-old child. After receiving multiple criminal convictions in his home country, the ERO reported, Cardoso Ferreira was sentenced to 14 years in prison. (RELATED: French Senator Accused Of Drugging Colleague With Intent To Rape, Prosecutors Say)
In May 2019 prior to the Brazilian fugitive’s sentencing, Cardoso Ferreira fled the country, triggering the 2nd Criminal Court of Sorriso in Brazil to issue a warrant for his arrest. Officials stated that it is unknown how or when Cardoso Ferreira entered the US, but ERO Boston became aware of his presence in Martha’s Vineyard on Sept. 28.
Cardoso Ferreira will reportedly remain in ERO custody until his removal proceedings.
Within the fiscal year of 2022, the ERO has arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories, according to ICE data.
While the southern border crisis has continued to see record numbers of crossings, Martha’s Vineyard became a hot topic after Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis notably flew illegal immigrants to the island. In fact, some of the immigrants that DeSantis flew over have remained in the area working for local residents.