HARRISBURG, PA — Danelo Cavalcante pleaded guilty on Friday to multiple charges after his daring escape from Chester County Prison, as announced by Attorney General Michelle Henry. Cavalcante, already serving a life sentence for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, now faces additional charges, including burglary, possessing a firearm, and escape.
On August 31, 2023, Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township by scaling a wall and bypassing a razor-wire fence. His escape launched a 13-day manhunt across neighborhoods and rural areas. During this period, Cavalcante committed several crimes, including two residential burglaries, stealing a vehicle, and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Attorney General Henry praised the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the search. “This defendant was already serving a life sentence when he escaped and put an entire community on edge as he continued to commit more crimes while on the run,” she stated. Cavalcante was eventually captured in a wooded area in Chester County on September 13, 2023.
Following his guilty plea, Cavalcante received an additional sentence of 15-30 years in a State Correctional Institution, to be served consecutively to his life sentence. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Phillips.
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