Brazilian National Living in Bridgeport Charged with Firearm Offense

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, and Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter today announced that JOAO VICTOR BORGES DE QUEIROZ, 33, a citizen of Brazil last residing in Bridgeport, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on December 23, 2025, a victim of domestic violence reported to Bridgeport Police that she had just been attacked by Borges de Queiroz while she was driving her car, and that Borges de Queiroz had fired a gun during the attack.  The victim was able to take the gun away from Borges de Queiroz during the struggle and throw it out the car window.  The victim jumped out of the moving car in the area of Orange Street and Central Avenue.  Borges de Queiroz held onto her, fell on top of her and continue the assault, but assisted by intervening bystanders, she was able to escape.  Responding officers located the handgun, a black Taurus 9mm Model G2C, on Orange Street.  Investigators obtained videos from surveillance cameras, which confirmed details of the incident.  As a result of the investigation, state authorities issued an arrest warrant charging Borges de Queiroz with criminal attempt to commit murder, kidnapping in the first degree with a firearm, and stalking in the second degree.

It is further alleged that on December 24, 2025, Borges de Queiroz was detained at the Highgate Springs, Vermont Port of Entry at the U.S. and Canadian border after he attempted to enter Canada, was denied entry, and attempted to reenter the U.S.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered an active armed and dangerous alert for Borges de Queiroz and detained him.

It is alleged that Borges de Queiroz was first encountered by CBP in Arizona in May 2023 and the agency determined that he did not have lawful status in the U.S.  Immigration records indicate that Borges de Queiroz missed a court date in April 2025 and has a final court hearing scheduled for November 30, 2026.

Borges de Queiroz, who has been detained since his arrest, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford.  The charge of possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the U.S. carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bridgeport Police Department, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.

The State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Fairfield is prosecuting the state case against Borges de Queiroz.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.