June 19, 2008

Citizen of Brazil sentenced to federal prison for illegally re-entering the U.S.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – A Brazilian national was sentenced today for illegally re-entering the U.S. after an investigation by ICE agents.

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Bruce M. Foucart, special agent-in-charge of ICE’s Office of Investigations in Boston announced that Robson Flores Da Silva, 30, a citizen of Brazil, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to nine months of imprisonment for illegally re-entering the United States after being deported.  Da Silva pleaded guilty to the offense on April 3, 2008.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in December 2005, Da Silva was administratively arrested for entry without inspection after being encountered by ICE agents during an investigation in Danbury, Connecticut.  He was later criminally arrested and subsequently convicted in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut for committing fraud with identity documents.  On May 12, 2006, Da Silva was sentenced to time served and, on June 12, 2006, a warrant of deportation was executed and Da Silva was removed to Brazil.

On Dec. 5, 2007, Da Silva was found in Bridgeport, Connecticut and was administratively arrested by ICE.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Before re-entering the United States, anyone who has been deported must have the express consent of the U.S. Attorney General or his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

This case was investigated by ICE.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Krishna R. Patel and William M. Brown, Jr.

-- ICE --