ICE deports international fugitive to Brazil

MIAMI - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday deported Valerio Ronchi, 59, wanted on criminal charges of sex assault of a minor in Brazil.

Ronchi, a Brazilian national, was turned over to authorities in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Ronchi was convicted of sexual assault on a minor in the State of Santa Catarina Judiciary Branch, Criciuma District 2nd Criminal Court, in Brazil on Nov. 24, 2004. He was found to have drugged and performed a sexual act against an 11-year-old girl. He was sentenced to eight years, five months and seven days in prison. Ronchi fled Brazil to evade the imposition of his sentence.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Miami initiated an investigation as a result of an inquiry from the Brazilian Federal Police, the ICE Attaché office in Brasilia and INTERPOL. The investigation uncovered that Ronchi was found to be residing in the United States. On March 19, ICE special agents arrested Ronchi without incident near his place of work at Indianapolis Auto Sales in Pompano Beach, Fla.

He was taken into ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) custody at the Krome Service Processing Center in Miami on the same date.

He was placed into removal proceedings and an immigration judge ordered Ronchi removed to Brazil.

Ronchi was found to have entered the United States on July 05, 2006, at Miami International Airport as a B2 non-immigrant visitor for pleasure not to exceed Jan. 04, 2007. He remained in the United States beyond Jan. 04, 2007, without authorization.

The ICE ERO Miami Field Office effectuated Ronchi's removal to Brazil.