A Brazilian man living in the United States illegally has been charged with raping a minor in Massachusetts, federal authorities announced Tuesday.
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Wally Neto, 24, was arrested on August 23 and charged with five counts of rape.
“Wally Neto has allegedly repeatedly assaulted children in Massachusetts and poses a significant threat to the safety of our communities,” said Todd M. Lyons, ERO's Boston office director. “We appreciate the cooperation of the Dukes County Sheriff's Office, who prioritized public safety and safely transferred Neto to ERO's custody.”
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Wally Neto, 24, was charged in Massachusetts with rape of a minor. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE))
According to authorities, Neto illegally entered the United States near Paso del Norte, Texas, on March 11, 2018. He was notified by the U.S. Border Patrol to appear before a federal immigration judge and was released on March 13, 2018.
Edgartown Police arrested Neto on suspicion of strangulation or suffocation, assault on a family member and criminal threats. An immigration detention request has been filed for Neto at the Dukes County Jail and Correctional Facility.
Neto was found guilty on June 8, 2023. He was sentenced to 364 days in prison, but the judge suspended all but 90 days.
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Neto was arrested again on Jan. 12 on suspicion of five counts of child rape and five counts of enticing a minor under the age of 16, authorities said.
ICE filed another immigration detention request with the Dukes County Jail and Correctional Facility and Dukes County Superior Court on Aug. 22. The request was granted, and immigration officials were informed they could hold Neto in federal custody.
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“Too often, local governments fail to honor immigration detention orders, releasing dangerous criminals back into society to reoffend,” Lyons said. “ERO Boston will continue to apprehend and remove the most dangerous criminal aliens from New England.”
