Man wanted for slaying in Brazil is arrested after Framingham traffic stop

Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News
·2 min read
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FRAMINGHAM — What began as a routine traffic stop on Sunday afternoon led to the arrest of a Brazilian national wanted in a homicide case.

Framingham police initially arrested Deann Pires de Mello, 26, at 3:16 p.m. Sunday on Concord Street near the Memorial Building. He was charged with driving without a license and cited for texting while driving.

However, a warrant check revealed that according to the federal Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Pires de Mello was wanted for aggravated homicide.

Deann Pires de Mello, who was arrested Sunday in Framingham, is in federal custody on a warrant from Brazil for aggravated homicide.
Deann Pires de Mello, who was arrested Sunday in Framingham, is in federal custody on a warrant from Brazil for aggravated homicide.

No information about the slaying was released by ICE or INTERPOL other than to say it occurred in the Espirito Santo province in Brazil.

More:Charges dropped against local judge accused of helping defendant evade ICE

Espirito Santo is in southeastern Brazil. In 2018, its capital city — Vitoria — was named one of the world's 50 most dangerous cities after a study conducted by Mexico's Citizens' Council for Public Safety with more than 36 homicides per 100,000 residents. In comparison, Boston's rate for the same year was slightly over 8 homicides per 100,000 residents.

“It is due to the committed, hard work of ERO officers, coupled with the critical assistance of our Brazilian law enforcement partners, that this criminal fugitive is off the streets of our community,” said Todd Lyons, Boston field office director for federal Enforcement and Removal Operations. “We seek to ensure that Pires de Mello faces justice for these very serious charges. ICE remains committed to arresting criminal foreign fugitives who attempt to evade prosecution for crimes in their home country.”

Pires de Mello was previously placed into removal proceedings by the U.S. Border Patrol in July 2019 in Texas. Authorities did not say whether he had been released or had been deported and returned.

Pires de Mello is being held in federal custody without bail as he undergoes removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Brazil homicide suspect arrested in Framingham after traffic stop