Gabriel Lopes Da Silva Santos, a 27-year-old Brazilian national, has been charged by the United States Attorney's Office in Vermont for illegal possession of a firearm while unlawfully in the United States. Santos appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on April 16, 2025, who ordered his detention pending further proceedings.
Court records indicate that Santos was found in possession of an AR-15 style rifle on June 9, 2024, in Ludlow, Vermont, following a neighbor's report of gunfire near an apartment complex. Law enforcement identified Santos as the owner of the AR-15 and a shotgun. It was later discovered that Santos had overstayed his visa, which expired in September 2020.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office clarified that the complaint is composed of allegations, and Santos remains innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, Santos could face up to 15 years in prison, with the sentence to be determined by the District Court, based on the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher acknowledged the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Border Patrol in the investigation. The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Banker and Santos is represented by the Federal Public Defender's Office for the District of Vermont.
This case is under Operation Take Back America, aiming to address illegal immigration, and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations. It aligns with Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program designed to reduce violent crime by uniting law enforcement and community efforts, enhancing trust, supporting violence prevention, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and evaluating outcomes.
Project Safe Neighborhoods was strengthened by a strategy introduced on May 26, 2021, focusing on community trust, supporting prevention efforts, strategic enforcement, and result measurement. More information about the program is available at Justice.gov/PSN.