Through a collaborative effort between U.S. and Brazilian authorities, an elusive fugitive was finally brought to justice, serving as a stark reminder that the long arm of the law can reach even the most determined of criminals.
Valdeci Passos-Soares, a 47-year-old Brazilian citizen, had evaded the authorities in his home country for years, believed to be involved in the lucrative and dangerous world of drug trafficking. Alongside his illicit drug activities, Passos-Soares was also wanted for the illegal possession of firearms ammunition, further compounding the threat he posed to public safety.
The turning point came in August 2022, when Passos-Soares was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the El Paso, Texas, Border Patrol Sector.
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Having entered the United States without proper inspection by Border Patrol, he was issued a notice to appear and released on his own recognizance.
As the case unfolded, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Salt Lake City Field Office played a crucial role in tracking down and apprehending Passos-Soares.
In March 2023, officers were notified of the outstanding warrant for the Brazilian fugitive, setting in motion a coordinated effort to bring him to justice.
On May 1, 2023, ERO officers arrested Passos-Soares for failing to depart the United States as directed by the immigration judge during an enforcement action.
This arrest set the stage for his eventual repatriation to Brazil, where he would face the consequences of his criminal actions.
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With Passos-Soares in custody, the final step was to ensure his safe return to Brazil to stand trial. On May 31, 2023, ERO officers removed the fugitive from Las Vegas and transported him via ICE's Air Operations to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he was turned over to the local authorities.
"This case is emblematic of the fact that the U.S. will not be a backdoor to absconding from accountability," said ERO Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke. "U.S. authorities will find and repatriate foreign fugitives."
In fiscal year 2023, ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,178 associated charges and convictions with an average of four per individual. These included 33,209 assaults, 4,390 sex and sexual assaults, 7,520 weapons offenses, 1,713 charges or convictions for homicide, and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.
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