July 8, 2008, 9:12PM
Four charged after assault on Border Patrol agent


Associated Press


DERBY LINE, Vt. — Four people were charged following an assault on a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the Vermont-Quebec border, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Alexsandre Da Silva, 32, of Brazil, was arrested in nearby Stanstead, Quebec, after fleeing the scene, authorities said. He was charged with assaulting an agent, conspiracy to smuggle aliens and illegally entering the U.S.

Da Silva and two other Brazilians didn't have paperwork to enter the U.S. and two fled when the agent tried to take them into custody, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

The agent tackled Da Silva, who then assaulted the agent, throwing him over a guard rail, federal prosecutors said. The agent then fired two shots at the suspects. There were no injuries.

Jenete Maria Andrade-Valenca, 53, was charged with illegally entering the U.S and Evaldo Ferreira Pinto, 33, was charged with smuggling conspiracy and re-entering the U.S. after being removed from the country.

Prosecutors say Victor Botelho, 31, of Falls River, Mass., drove the other men to the border so they could enter Canada. He was charged with smuggling conspiracy and released on conditions Tuesday.

Da Silva and Ferreira Pinto walked into Canada to meet Andrade-Valenca and guided her into the U.S. to the car, court records said. She planned to travel to New York City, the records said.

The U.S. plans to seek extradition of Da Silva and Ferreira Pinto, federal prosecutors said.

Andrade-Valenca was being held at the Dale Correctional Facility in Vermont. Jail officials did not have any attorney information for her. The men were detained in Canada.

A message left after hours for the U.S. Attorney's office seeking attorney information for the four wasn't immediately returned.
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