Five prior felons arrested on immigration violations (The Herald News)

Five prior felons arrested on immigration violations

By Jay Pateakos
GateHouse News Service
Posted Aug 28, 2009 @ 09:22 PM

Fall River — Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers and the Fall River Police Department arrested five local residents in violation of immigration detainers, all five with multiple prior convictions.

New England ICE spokesman Michael Gilhooly said his agency was contacted by the Fall River Police Department earlier in the week after targeting five individuals on immigration violations. All five were arrested by Fall River Police and ICE agents on Tuesday.

Gilhooly said all five men, four from Fall River and a fifth from New Bedford, were charged with violating immigration detainers and will soon face a federal judge who has the power to remove the men from the country permanently.

“If the judge decides that they are to be removed from the country, it will be ICE’s responsibility to carry it out,” said Gilhooly.

According to police records, Anthony Coley, 38, of 99 Tremont St., had prior convictions on five counts of possession to distribute a Class B drug, six counts of possession of a Class D drug, and breaking and entering.

Jose R. DaSilva, 43, of 98 Tremont St., was convicted of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, assault and battery on a police officer, violation of restraining order and assault and battery.

Jorge Raposa, 44, 16 Cook St., second floor, has former convictions for possession of heroin, breaking and entering, possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug and receiving stolen property.

Caesar Botelho, 54, 311 Jencks St., No. 11, was convicted on five counts of assault and battery, possession of cocaine and indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.

The fifth man arrested, Rua Rocha, 23, of 71 Hathaway St., New Bedford, had prior convictions of violation of a restraining order and breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony.

Gilhooly said the men are being held in prisons across New England until their court date is set. No date has been provided.

“We feel that this is a win-win situation for the people of Fall River,” said Gilhooly. “Because we work so closely with the Fall River Police Department, both groups were able to go in and identify these individuals, all with serious prior convictions that could be a detriment to the people of the city, and remove them.”