Brazilian National, in U.S. Illegally, Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for Forcibly Assaulting, Resisting, Opposing, Impeding, Intimidating, and Interfering with Federal Officer

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Enmanuel Fernandes-Calixto, aka Emanuel Fernandes and Emanuel Bartholomew, 21, a Brazilian national illegally in the United States, was sentenced today to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Karen S. Marston, for forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with an officer of the United States while the officer was engaged in the performance of his official duties.

As detailed in court filings, on April 2, 2025, an officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) arrested Fernandes-Calixto for immigration violations. During transport, the defendant attempted to escape, and, while still handcuffed, pushed the officer, then attempted to strike the officer several times. The defendant ultimately escaped during the struggle and hid in a house in Northeast Philadelphia. He was apprehended later that evening, with the assistance of the Philadelphia Police Department SWAT team.

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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

The case was investigated by ICE ERO.

Note: the posting of this press release was delayed, due to the federal government shutdown from October 1, 2025, to November 12, 2025.