Fugitive Douglas Pereira Lemes Arrested in Panama

Extradition Underway by the FBI Boston Division’s Violent Crimes Task Force

Douglas Pereira Lemes, a fugitive wanted for armed assault with intent to murder, has been turned over to United States authorities following his arrest in Panama.

Special Agents from the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force escorted Lemes from Panama to Logan International Airport on a flight that is scheduled to arrive Tuesday evening. The FBI worked with the Revere Police Department and leveraged its international resources to locate Lemes and bring him back to Massachusetts.

An arrest warrant out of Chelsea District Court had been issued for Lemes after he failed to appear for his arraignment on February 29, 2016 on two charges of armed assault with intent to murder. The charges arose from an incident on June 24, 2008 in Revere, Massachusetts where Lemes allegedly attacked his roommate with a hammer and a steak knife, hitting him repeatedly in the head and stabbing him several times in the back. Lemes was ordered to turn over his passport, and did. However, within days of doing so, he flew from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, New York to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On March 18, 2016, a federal arrest warrant was issued by the United States District Court in Massachusetts for Lemes on a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution which holds a maximum imprisonment of five years.

Lemes, 26, is an undocumented immigrant from Mantenopolis, Brazil. He came to the United States around the age of fifteen, settling in Revere, Massachusetts. Prior to fleeing, Lemes was living in Somerville and had begun the process of attempting to gain legal status.

Investigators developed information that Lemes was living in his hometown, a small village of Brazil.  With the assistance of the FBI’s Legal Attache office in Brazil, it was determined that he was in fact residing there.

On February 22, 2017, Lemes was arrested in Panama, and was held in custody by Panamanian authorities on a provisional arrest warrant generated by the Department of Justice seeking extradition back to Massachusetts.

“Mr. Lemes’ return to the United States should send a clear message to fugitives: no matter where in the world you try to hide, we will find you and bring you back to face justice,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This is a great example of how multiple government agencies and nations worked together to make sure he answers to his alleged crimes.”

“Suffolk prosecutors will work with all our partners to protect victims, support witnesses, and hold violent offenders accountable.  The investigation by Revere Police and outstanding work by the FBI to return the defendant to Suffolk County are examples of that collaborative approach.   We’re grateful to them for all their efforts over the past year,” stated Daniel F. Conley, Suffolk County District Attorney.

Upon arrival, Lemes will be returned to the custody of the Revere Police Department and he will be prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.