Brazilian Man Arrested for Wearing ICE Gear at Miami Polling Site During Brazil's Election

A Brazilian man was arrested on Sunday, October 4, after allegedly showing up at a Miami polling site dressed as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent while Brazilians abroad voted in their country's presidential election.

Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputies identified him as Danilo Alves Silva, 46, of Port St. Lucie, Florida. According to the arrest report, he walked between the voting buildings at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus wearing an ICE cap and jacket, a face mask, sunglasses and tactical boots, while carrying a radio. Several voters feared he could detain or deport them.

"Bought it on Amazon"

When detectives questioned him, Silva reportedly said he was not a federal agent and had bought the outfit online. He told them he had voted earlier in a Brazil soccer jersey, then changed in his car and came back to film people's reactions. Deputies say he later threatened officers and offered them money to let him go.

Five charges

Silva faces charges of voter intimidation, conspiracy to commit bribery, threatening a public servant, unlawful use of police insignia and disorderly conduct. Voter intimidation is a felony in Florida, punishable by up to five years in prison. At his first hearing, Judge Mindy Glazer reminded the defense that it was not Halloween.

He was released on a $5,650 bond and is due back in court on October 19. He has not been convicted of any crime.

Why it matters

The United States has more registered Brazilian voters abroad than any other country, about 265,000, and many feared ICE activity near polling sites before the vote. They return to the polls on October 25 for the runoff between President Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.

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