MILFORD, Mass. — A Brazilian national convicted of murder in his home country and on the run for nearly two years was arrested in Milford on May 1 by officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and FBI Boston, federal officials confirmed.
Fernando Antonio Vieira-Martins, 34, had been convicted in Brazil on June 29, 2022, and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison. He fled the country before beginning his sentence, prompting Brazilian authorities to issue an arrest warrant on May 10, 2023.
Federal officials said Vieira-Martins entered the United States illegally on March 9, 2023, near Calexico, California, without being inspected or admitted by immigration officers.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston led the arrest effort, supported by the FBI. The arrest was carried out without incident in Milford. “Fernando Antonio Vieira-Martins murdered someone in his home country and attempted to subvert justice by fleeing to the United States,” said ICE Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde.
Hyde emphasized public safety, stating ICE Boston “will continue to prioritize the safety of our law-abiding public by arresting and removing such criminal alien threats to our neighbors.”
Key points
- Brazilian fugitive convicted of murder was arrested in Milford on May 1 by ICE and FBI.
- Vieira-Martins entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and evaded capture for nearly a year.
- He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
ICE custody and extradition status
Since the May 1 arrest, Vieira-Martins has been detained by ICE as removal proceedings move forward. The agency has not disclosed when he may be returned to Brazil, but confirmed he remains in federal custody.
ICE stated that Vieira-Martins’ continued presence in the U.S. poses a risk due to the violent nature of his conviction. No further charges in the U.S. have been announced in connection with his illegal entry or fugitive status.
U.S. authorities routinely cooperate with foreign governments under international law enforcement agreements to facilitate extradition of fugitives with outstanding convictions abroad.
Brazilian officials have not issued a public statement on the capture, though the 2023 warrant remains active, according to ICE.
ICE noted that Vieira-Martins’ case is part of ongoing efforts to locate and deport individuals with serious criminal histories who evade justice by fleeing to the United States.