A Brazilian national, who resides in Malden, was charged in federal court in Boston yesterday with immigration and firearms crimes.
Vanderlei Rodrigues DeAraujo, a/k/a Neneco, 43, was indicted on one count of dealing in firearms without a license, two counts of alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. DeAraujo will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the indictment, DeAraujo possessed and subsequently sold firearms and ammunition on two occasions: on Sept. 6, 2018, and Jan. 28, 2019. At the time of the firearm sales, DeAraujo was unlawfully present in the United States, having been previously deported to Brazil on Aug. 18, 2011, and returning to the United States illegally sometime thereafter.
The charge of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license carries a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of being an alien in possession of firearm and ammunition carries a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unlawful reentry of a previously deported alien carries a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Marcos D. Charles, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office, made announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division and the Malden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Weinstein of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
