A Brazilian national accused of driving drunk the wrong way on a Massachusetts highway and crashing into a state trooper’s cruiser has been arrested by federal immigration authorities.
Lucas Gustavo Dibenedetto, 41—a citizen of Italy who is originally from Brazil—was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 2, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Thursday. His arrest came just two days after Massachusetts officials had released him from jail despite pending criminal charges.
Massachusetts State Police first arrested Dibenedetto in the early morning hours of May 31, after he allegedly drove drunk in the wrong direction on Route 1 in Peabody, Massachusetts, and collided head-on with a trooper's cruiser. The trooper was hospitalized as a result of the crash but has since been released and is recovering.
Dibenedetto faces charges of driving under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and driving the wrong way. Despite those charges, Massachusetts officials released him from jail—a decision that federal officials publicly condemned.
“Following his arrest, sanctuary politicians in Massachusetts released this dangerous criminal from jail without notifying ICE. Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE law enforcement, he is now in ICE custody and will be removed from the country,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Sanctuary politicians must stop gambling with the lives of Americans and start cooperating with us to make America safe again."
Dibenedetto first entered the United States on Jan. 5, 2007, with authorization to remain for three months. He then overstayed his visa, remaining in the country in violation of federal immigration law. He is currently being held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
The arrest is the latest in case in which immigration authorities have moved to detain individuals after local officials declined to hold them for federal agents.
"Four young Americans had their lives taken in Oklahoma by a criminal illegal alien who recklessly drove drunk. The illegal alien struck the victims' vehicle head-on, causing the car to catch fire. He now faces criminal charges for murder, driving under the influence, and unlawful possession of a firearm,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. “These young men and women had their whole lives ahead of them. This tragedy was completely preventable. This illegal alien should have never been in our country."