Man with Medford Ties Deported to Brazil to Answer to Murder Charge

A Brazilian man living in Somerville and Medford under an alias has been deported to his homeland to answer to a murder charge, according to federal authorities.

Jose Rogerio Ferreira de Souza, 20, was arrested by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents in Danvers in February 2011, but was not deported until Wednesday because he made "numerous appeals" to the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals that were denied, according to a press release from the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Ferreira de Souza was living in the United States under the alias Mauro Jorge and federal law enforcement had to work with Brazilian authorities to confirm his true identity before deporting him.

Along with two other men, Ferreira de Souza allegedly robbed and killed a taxi driver of $40 and his watch in Téofilo Otoni, Brazil in September 2008. The victim, Heraldo de Souza, 68, was then up with barbed wire and beat with a stick until he died, according to authorities. He was found three days later.

The two other men involved in the killing, Valdiney Oesdres Leal de Souza and Pereira da Silva, have been convicted and have testified that Ferreira de Souza was involved in the murder, according to investigators. Leal de Souza was sentenced to 23 years in jail and Pereira da Silva was sentenced to 25 years in jail, the press release said.

But Ferreira de Souza fled to the United States and had been living under the alias Mauro Jorge in both Medford and Somerville, according to investigators. The investigation began when Massachusetts State Police received a tip that Ferreira de Souza was living in the greater Boston Area, the press release said.

Homeland Security Investigations' branch in Brasilia, Brazil worked with authorities in Brazil to confirm that Ferreira de Souza was wanted by their government by matching up facial features and biographical information, the press release said.

Ferreira de Souza was turned over to Brazilian law enforcement authorities Wednesday morning in São Paulo. He is charged with armed robbery resulting in death.