Former New Bedford resident convicted of murder sentenced for illegally reentering U.S.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) – A Brazilian man who formerly resided in New Bedford was sentenced to prison today in Boston federal court.

The Massachusetts District Attorney’s Office said Walter Gomes DaSilva, 52, was sentenced to ten years in prison on Tuesday for illegal reentry.

Officials said those ten years will be served consecutive to his current state sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison for a 2016 murder conviction.

DaSilva was also previously convicted of armed assault to murder and domestic assault and battery, per authorities.

“Enforcing this country’s immigration laws for dangerous individuals who commit crimes in this country and then return after deportation is critical to public safety,” Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement. “Mr. DaSilva will pay a serious price for the violence he inflicted on our community.”

The District Attorney’s Office said DaSilva was first deported from the United States in 1999 after being convicted of domestic assault and battery, then illegally reentered the country.

In 2002, officials said he was encountered by immigration officials after being charged with armed assault to murder and was later sentenced to ten years in prison.

DaSilva was placed into removal proceedings and deported again to Brazil in March 2012, then illegally reentered the United States a second time.

He was encountered by immigration officials again in 2016 after being charged with murder in Bristol Superior Court, resulting in him receiving a 25 years-to-life prison sentence.

Officials said DaSilva pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in 2019 before his ten year sentence on Tuesday.