Brazilian Man Charged With Escaping From Federal Custody

BOSTON – A Brazilian man residing in Framingham has been charged with allegedly escaping from federal custody while in transport to the Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island.

Victor Rodrigues De Moura-Pereria, 20, was charged with one count of escape from federal custody. He will appear in federal court in Boston on March 25, 2024.

According to the charging documents, in September 2021, Rodrigues was arrested by federal authorities in Arizona after unlawfully entering the United States. He was subsequently placed into removal proceedings in October 2021, but allegedly failed to report and was considered an absconder. 

It is alleged that on Feb. 25, 2024, in Framingham, Mass., Rodrigues was approached by local law enforcement due to the outstanding warrant for his arrest. It is further alleged that Rodrigues ignored officers’ commands and resisted arrest. Rodrigues was then transferred into the custody of immigration officials. 

On Feb. 26, 2024, while being transported to the Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island , Rodrigues made numerous attempts to escape. Specifically, it is alleged that – while placed in full restraints and seated in the prisoner compartment of the transport van – Rodrigues attempted to unlock the passenger side door by pulling on the lock pin with his teeth. Rodrigues then allegedly forced his body through a small gap between the vehicle’s rear cage and passenger side window and into the vehicle’s storage compartment, where he pulled the emergency release pull tab, opened the rear door and jumped out onto the highway. After exiting the transport van, Rodrigues ran down the middle of the highway and disappeared. 

According to the charging documents, Rodrigues was later located inside a wooden fenced area behind a building in Waltham, Mass. approximately a quarter mile from where he exited the transport van. 

The charge of escape provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $ 100,000. If convicted, Rodrigues faces deportation after serving any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Waltham Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.