Danelo Cavalcante Pleads Guilty In PA Prison Escape

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Danelo Cavalcante pleaded guilty to several charges a year after he escaped a Chester County prison and stole a van and rifle to elude authorities for nearly two weeks.

Cavalcante, 35, pleaded guilty to escape, burglary, and firearms violations during a Friday hearing, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a release. He was then sentenced to serve 15 to 30 years in state prison in addition to the life sentence he is currently serving for killing his ex-girlfriend.

Cavalcante, a Brazil native, escaped the Chester County Prison on Aug. 31, 2023, while he was waiting to be transferred to state prison to serve a life sentence for killing Deborah Brandao. He escaped by climbing between two walls in the jail yard and jumping from the roof.

The escape sparked a massive manhunt that lasted 13 days. Investigators said that Cavalcante stole items to help him change his appearance, food, a getaway vehicle, and a rifle with ammunition.

According to the charging documents, Cavalcante burglarized two homes in Pennsbury and South Coventry townships, stealing the firearm, clothing, and a shaving razor. He stole a Ford transit van from a location in Pocopson Township.

He was eventually captured on Sept. 13.

Defense attorney Lonny Fish said Cavalcante swiftly agreed to plead guilty to the charges, the Associated Press reported. His plea came a day before the one-year anniversary of his escape, which left many people across the Philadelphia region on edge.

“I don’t think he understood the circus that he caused,” Fish said.