I.C.E. News Release

August 13, 2010

ICE deports 2 international fugitives to Brazil

MIAMI - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday deported Valerio Ronchi, 59, wanted on criminal charges of sex assault of a minor in Brazil, and Joao de Oliveira, 51, wanted for murder in Brazil. Ronchi and de Oliveira, both Brazilian nationals, were turned over to authorities in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Ronchi was convicted of sexual assault on a minor in the State of Santa Catarina Judiciary Branch, Criciuma District 2nd Criminal Court, in Brazil on Nov. 24, 2004. He was found to have drugged and performed a sexual act against an 11-year-old girl. He was sentenced to eight years, five months and seven days in prison. Ronchi fled Brazil to evade the imposition of his sentence.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Miami initiated an investigation as a result of an inquiry from the Brazilian Federal Police, the ICE Attaché office in Brasilia and INTERPOL. The investigation uncovered that Ronchi was found to be residing in the United States. On March 19, ICE special agents arrested Ronchi without incident near his place of work at Indianapolis Auto Sales in Pompano Beach, Fla.

He was taken into ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) custody at the Krome Service Processing Center in Miami on the same date. He was placed into removal proceedings and an immigration judge ordered Ronchi removed to Brazil.

Ronchi was found to have entered the United States on July 05, 2006, at Miami International Airport as a B2 non-immigrant visitor for pleasure not to exceed Jan. 04, 2007. He remained in the U.S. beyond Jan. 04, 2007, without authorization.

De Oliveira was charged on Jan. 6, 1997, for the murder of Absolon Ferreira de Souza.

According to the arrest warrant, on April 15, 1991, de Oliveira and the victim had an altercation outside of a bar, at which time de Oliveira fatally shot de Souza with a 22-caliber handgun.

On March 26, 2009, ICE special agents arrested de Oliveira in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and he entered ICE custody at Krome Detention Center on April 2, 2009.

ERO Miami coordinated the removal of de Oliveira with the ICE Attaché office in Brasilia and the Brazilian Federal Police.

De Oliveira had entered the United States on an unknown date at an unknown location without permission.

The ICE ERO Miami Field Office effectuated both removals to Brazil.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Last Modified: Friday, August 13, 2010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1008/100813miami3.htm