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Brazilian national sentenced to prison for weapons possession and illegal entry into US

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Brazilian national was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison on Thursday for possession of firearms and ammunition by an illegal alien and improper entry into the United States.

Agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) found that, based on information obtained from confidential sources, Gilson C. Da Silva, a/k/a "Juice," 42, of Goose Creek, S.C., was an illegal alien from Brazil who illegally possessed weapons.

During the course of the investigation, agents executed a search warrant at Da Silva's shop and storage shed and found nine firearms and assorted ammunition. Further investigation confirmed that Da Silva was a native of Brazil and that he had entered the United States unlawfully.

United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Da Silva to 24 months on the firearms count and six months on the improper entry by an alien count, with the sentences to run concurrently.