Local News

Brazilian man charged with escaping from federal custody in Waltham

Victor Rodrigues De Moura-Pereria, 20, was charged with one count of escape from federal custody.

March 20, 2024

1 minute to read

A Brazilian man has been charged with escaping from federal custody on I-95 in Waltham in February while he was being transported to a detention center in Rhode Island.

Victor Rodrigues De Moura-Pereria, 20, is charged with one count of escape from federal custody and is expected to appear in court on March 25, according to the office of acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy.

Authorities say Rodrigues was first arrested by federal authorities in Arizona in September 2021 after unlawfully entering the United States. He was placed into proceedings for deportation but allegedly failed to report. On Feb. 25, 2024, he was allegedly approached by local law enforcement in Framingham due to the outstanding warrant for his arrest. He allegedly resisted arrest; Levy’s office said that after he was arrested, he was transferred into the custody of immigration officials.

He was being transported to Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island on Feb. 26 when he allegedly made numerous attempts to escape, ultimately forcing his body through the gap between the vehicle’s rear cage and passenger side window and into the storage compartment where he was able to pull an emergency tab and open the back door, prosecutors said.

About 15 minutes after he escaped, Rodrigues was taken back into custody. Authorities have said a flaw in the transport van’s design may have been a factor in his alleged escape.

According to Levy’s office, the charge of escape from federal custody can result in a sentence of up to one year in prison.

“If convicted, Rodrigues faces deportation after serving any sentence imposed,” Levy’s office said.