ICE deportation officers in Massachusetts have arrested a Brazilian fugitive who had been convicted of child rape, according to federal immigration officials.

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston officers arrested Edimir Gustavo Eckelberg, 62, who had been wanted following a child rape conviction in Brazil.

Deportation officers from ERO Boston’s Foreign Fugitive Apprehension Unit apprehended Eckelberg in Tewksbury on Tuesday.

Eckelberg had been wanted by Brazilian law enforcement authorities after he fled the country instead of serving a 12-year prison sentence for the child rape conviction earlier this year.

“There is no more repulsive and disturbing crime than the sexual assault of a child,” ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons said in a statement. “We are proud to have apprehended this convicted rapist and will seek to remove him from the United States so that he cannot prey on the members of our community.

“Convicted foreign fugitives are not welcome here,” Lyons added. “ERO Boston will not relent in our efforts to locate, apprehend and remove them from our country.”

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Following his rape conviction, Eckelberg fled Brazil before his sentencing. He reportedly entered the U.S. in New York under a tourist immigration visa in April.

Then in May, Brazilian authorities issued a warrant for his arrest when he failed to appear to serve a 12-year sentence for his child rape conviction.

After becoming aware of the fugitive’s presence within its area of responsibility, ERO Boston launched an investigation and apprehended him without incident in Tewksbury.

The Brazilian national will remain in ERO custody pending his removal proceedings.

“Enforcement and Removal Operations is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that protects the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws,” an ICE spokesperson said in a statement. “Entering the United States without authorization is a violation of federal law, and those who do so may be subject to administrative arrest, and in some cases, criminal prosecution.”

Deportation officers have arrested Edimir Gustavo Eckelberg, 62, who had been wanted following a child rape conviction in Brazil. (Law enforcement photo)