ERO Boston arrests Brazilian national accused of weapons crimes, indecent assault and battery after court ignores detainer

BOSTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested 43-year-old Anderson De Sousa Almedia Nov. 30. The Everett Police Department had arrested him July 6 and charged him with assault and battery on a family or household member, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery. The Malden District Court ignored ICE's immigration detainer and released De Sousa from custody July 8.

De Sousa was arrested by the Malden Police Department Nov. 29 while free on pre-trial probation for allegedly assaulting a family or household member and making death threats.

"The Malden District Court released De Sousa in July, the day after ICE lodged an immigration detainer against him," said ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. "He was supposed to return to court on Dec. 2, but while he was free in the community and before his criminal court date, the Malden Police Department arrested him on additional charges of assault and battery on a family or household member, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, and threats to commit murder. If the court had honored our initial detainer request, he would have been in ICE custody instead of in a situation where he's now alleged to have committed further crimes. We're grateful that Malden police notified us before releasing him once again."

De Sousa, a Brazilian national who unlawfully entered the United States in Lukeville, Arizona, on July 29, 2023, was originally released from U.S. Border Patrol custody on recognizance. ICE issued two immigration detainers - one on July 7 and one on Nov. 30 - to ask local law enforcement to turn De Sousa over to federal custody in a safe, controlled environment. The Malden Police Department honored ICE's detainer and notified the agency before releasing him.

De Sousa will remain in ICE custody while participating in his immigration proceedings.

ERO is one of ICE's three operational directorates and the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO's mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency's detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO's workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.