Man allegedly dons Amazon ICE costume to scare voters — then offers cops money to let him go

BS BULLETIN:

Police say 46-year-old Danilo Alves Silva voted in Brazil’s presidential election in Miami, then changed into ICE gear he bought on Amazon and returned to the polling area.
Silva allegedly told investigators he wanted to “see people’s reactions,” while voters reportedly feared he was an actual immigration agent.
After his arrest, authorities say Silva threatened investigators and offered them money to release him. A judge has since delivered a memorable reminder: “This is not Halloween.”

You know you’ve had a bad day when a judge has to remind you that Halloween isn’t for another few weeks.

A Florida man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he dressed himself up as an ICE agent and wandered around a Miami polling site where Brazilian nationals were casting ballots in Brazil’s presidential election.

And apparently he did it to see what would happen.

Danilo Alves Silva, 46, first arrived at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus wearing Brazilian attire and legitimately cast his own ballot, according to the arrest report.

Then came Part Two.

Police say Silva returned to his car, changed clothes and reappeared wearing a blue “ICE raid jacket,” ICE hat, sunglasses, camouflage face mask and tactical-style boots. He was also reportedly carrying a handheld radio.

This was not a U.S. election. Miami Dade College was serving as a polling location for Brazilian citizens participating in their country’s presidential election.

Authorities say Silva began aggressively moving between polling areas and interacting with people who believed he might actually be a federal immigration agent.

The arrest report described the reaction this way:

“The people were gathered and were clearly in fear that, as they portrayed it, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE agent was interfering with their election, possibly deporting individuals.”

Eventually, people confronted Silva about frightening voters.

Plainclothes detectives stepped in.

They asked the rather pertinent question:

Are you actually an ICE agent?

Nope.

According to investigators, Silva acknowledged that he wasn’t a federal officer and said he had purchased the ICE getup on Amazon.

Then he explained why he’d put it on.

He wanted “to see people’s reactions.”

Well, Danilo, you got one.

Police arrested him.

But apparently our story still wasn’t sufficiently bizarre.

Once detained, Silva allegedly became agitated and told one detective that “he will regret making this decision” and that he would come after him and others at the scene.

Then, according to investigators, we moved from threats to the negotiation phase.

“I will get you paid if you let me go,” Silva allegedly told police.

He reportedly continued:

“I can show you right there on my phone. Please grab it and I will show you. We will pay you money, but you have to let me go first.”

That did not improve the situation.

Silva was arrested on allegations including voter intimidation, bribery, threatening a public servant, unlawful use of law-enforcement insignia and disorderly conduct. He has not been convicted, and prosecutors had not yet formally filed all counts as of the latest reporting. He posted $5,650 bond and is due back in court Oct. 19.

And now we arrive at perhaps my favorite moment.

During Silva’s court appearance, his attorney challenged whether simply wearing ICE clothing purchased online was enough to support the police-insignia allegation.

Judge Mindy Glazer was apparently unimpressed with the fashion defense.

“This is not Halloween,” she said.

“Halloween will be on the 31st. It’s not now and it’s not during the Brazilian elections at Miami Dade College.”

The judge found probable cause at this stage for several of the allegations and ordered Silva to stay away from the Miami Dade College campus.

MY QUICK TAKE:

Amazon really does have everything.

Need paper towels? Check.

Phone charger? Check.

An ICE outfit for your ill-conceived afternoon experiment in human behavior?

Apparently check.

But here’s where our alleged genius took things to another level.

According to police, he actually voted first.

Then he went back to the car, changed into the ICE costume and returned because he wanted to “see people’s reactions.”

He saw them.

People got scared.

People confronted him.

Police arrested him.

And then, according to the arrest report, he allegedly threatened the cops before apparently deciding that bribery might be the more productive approach.

It wasn’t.

And Judge Glazer supplied the perfect ending:

“This is not Halloween.”

Some stories simply cannot be improved upon.