A 46-year-old man was arrested at Kendall Campus on Oct. 4 after police said he wore ICE attire and intimidated voters at a polling site for the Brazilian presidential elections, according to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit.
Danilo Alves Silva faces charges that include unlawful use of a police badge or insignia, prohibited voter intimidation or suppression, threatening a public servant to influence their performance and conspiracy to commit bribery.
According to the affidavit, Silva was spotted on campus at approximately 2 p.m. walking in an aggressive manner. He was wearing a blue ICE hat and raid jacket, blue jeans, sunglasses, a face mask and black tactical style boots.
Deputies who were patrolling the area saw him walking between building R and 9, where the two voting stations were; Homeland Security Bureau detectives located him engaging with the voters.
According to the arrest report, people feared Silva could deport them.
Detectives intervened to prevent the situation from escalating when a man holding a camera confronted Silva.
When detectives asked him if he was a federal agent, Silva said no.
Silva said he arrived at the voting site with a Brazilian jersey on and he proceeded to vote. Then, he put on his prop attire purchased from Amazon “to see people’s reactions.” The affidavit identifies him as a Brazilian citizen.
After being placed inside a MDSO vehicle, Silva allegedly told the detective he would regret his decision and he would come after him and everyone on scene.
He also added: “I will get you paid if you let me go,” according to the affidavit.
Silva was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com.
