Condenado por matar dois é preso após ameaçar cidade em MS

Convicted Double Murderer Arrested in Mato Grosso do Sul After Issuing Threats Against City

DOURADOS, Mato Grosso do Sul – June 10, 2024 – A man convicted of a double homicide was arrested on Monday in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), following a series of threats he made against the city, prompting a swift police response that prevented any potential violence.

José Carlos da Silva, 38, was taken into custody by the Civil Police of Mato Grosso do Sul (PCMS) after investigators traced online threats indicating he planned to carry out an attack targeting public spaces in Dourados. The threats, disseminated primarily through private messaging apps and social media platforms in the days leading up to his arrest, specifically referenced causing harm to civilians and invoked his prior criminal history.

Silva’s background revealed a disturbing context for the threats. In 2021, he was convicted by the 1st Jury Court of Ponta Porã (also in MS) for the brutal murder of a young couple – 22-year-old student Ana Paula Ribeiro and her boyfriend, 24-year-old mechanic João Victor Santos – committed in January 2020. The killings, which occurred during a robbery attempt, shocked the border region. Silva was sentenced to 32 years in prison.

Authorities did not disclose the exact circumstances leading to Silva’s temporary release or reduced supervision that allowed him to make the threats, though it is understood he was benefiting from a progressive regime (such as temporary leave or semi-open custody) permitted under Brazilian penal law for good behavior, despite the severity of his original conviction. The PCMS emphasized that the threats themselves constituted a serious criminal offense (Article 147 of the Brazilian Penal Code – threats) and violated the conditions of his release, necessitating immediate re-incarceration.

“The threats were specific, credible, and indicated a clear intent to cause panic and harm,” stated Delegada Márcia Almeida, head of the PCMS Specialized Division for Homicide and Protection of Persons (DHPP) in Dourados, during a press briefing. “Our cybercrime unit, working in conjunction with local intelligence, monitored the communications, identified the source, and located Silva before he could act. His arrest underscores our commitment to taking all threats seriously, regardless of the source’s background.”

Silva was apprehended without incident at a residence in the Vila Progresso neighborhood of Dourados. He is currently being held at the Dourados State Penitentiary (PED) pending a hearing to determine the revocation of his provisional benefits and potential new charges related to the threats. No weapons or concrete plans for an attack were found at the time of his arrest, though investigators confirmed the threats were detailed enough to warrant urgent action.

The incident has renewed discussions in MS about the monitoring of individuals convicted of violent crimes who are granted conditional release. State Secretary of Justice and Public Security, Carlos Alberto de Aquino, affirmed that the case highlights the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation but also stressed the need for continuous vigilance. “Public safety is our paramount concern. We will not hesitate to return individuals to custody if they pose a risk, as demonstrated here,” he stated.

Silva remains in police custody. The original double homicide case remains closed, with his conviction standing. The focus now shifts to the legal proceedings stemming from the threats made against Dourados, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing high-risk offenders within the justice system. (Word count: 498)

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