PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Brazilian national with no legal status in the United States has been charged with assaulting a federal officer, following an alleged escape attempt during transportation by immigration authorities earlier this month.
According to a criminal complaint announced by United States Attorney David Metcalf, 20-year-old Enmanuel Fernandes-Calixto, who also goes by “Emanuel Fernandes” and “Emanuel Bartholomew,” is accused of forcibly assaulting and interfering with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Officer on April 2, 2025.
Court filings allege that the incident began when an ICE officer arrested Fernandes-Calixto for immigration violations. While handcuffed and being transported, he allegedly attempted to escape, striking the officer in an apparent attempt to flee. The defendant was able to escape custody temporarily and took refuge in a house in Northeast Philadelphia. He was later apprehended that evening with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department SWAT team.
Fernandes-Calixto has a history of prior arrests, according to prosecutors. He had been previously detained in Philadelphia on separate charges of strangulation and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer from incidents in August 2024. Those charges remain unresolved. The U.S. Attorney’s Office further noted that Fernandes-Calixto was released from local custody in March 2025, despite an outstanding ICE detainer.
The case is being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations as part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative to address immigration law violations and transnational criminal activities. Fernandes-Calixto has been ordered detained in federal custody pending further legal proceedings.
An indictment or criminal complaint represents an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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