ICE Boston arrests fugitive who hired hitman to kill Brazilian mayor
BOSTON – A 57-year-old man convicted in Brazil for hiring a hitman to kill the mayor of Nacip Raydan, Brazil, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers May 11 in Boston.
Evandro Sergio Pais Franca, of Brazil, was convicted in absentia Nov. 5, 2012, after being found guilty of hiring a hitman to kill Maria Aprecida Vieira, the mayor of Nacip Raydan, Brazil. According to court documents, Franca ordered the assassination of Vieira April 5, 2000. She was subsequently murdered the same day by a fatal gunshot wound. Franca, who was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, fled to the United States to avoid serving his sentence.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Attaché Office in Brasilia worked with ERO Boston officers to obtain an Interpol Red Notice for Franca. On May 8 of this year, HSI Brasilia confirmed the issuance of the Interpol Red Notice and advised ERO officers that it had been published. Three days later, ERO officers tracked Franca down and arrested him.
Franca illegally entered the United States without being admitted or paroled. As a foreign fugitive, he is an ICE priority. He was placed in removal proceedings and will remain in custody awaiting the outcome of his case.
“Franca’s arrest is another example of the great cooperation within law enforcement not only in the United States but also abroad,” said Boston Field Office Director Sean Gallagher. “Within days of being notified, ERO and HSI worked together to ensure that Franca was located and arrested.”
In fiscal year 2014, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States. In addition to convicted criminals, the agency's enforcement priorities include those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, illegal re-entrants – individuals who returned to the United States after being previously removed by ICE – and immigration fugitives. In fiscal year 2014, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities.
Through its International Operations, HSI has 67 operational attaché offices in 48 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies. Additionally, HSI brings personnel from host countries to the United States to train at the Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
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