CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — One day before the anniversary of his escape from Chester County Prison, Danilo Cavalcante was back in Chester County — this time, in a bright orange jumpsuit with “DOC” on the back; his curly, shoulder-length hair covering his face.
The 35-year-old smiled and waved toward someone in the gallery as he entered the courtroom, but it was unclear who it was directed at. He didn’t say much as he entered his plea to escape, burglary, and illegal possession of a firearm.
Speaking through a translator, Cavalcante told the judge he left school after fourth grade but understood the terms of his plea deal. He is sentenced to an additional 15 to 30 years in state prison on top of the life sentence he is currently serving for murder.
He was sentenced to life in prison when he escaped Chester County Prison on Aug. 31, 2023. Surveillance footage showed Cavalcante crab-walk up a wall, push through razor wire, run across a roof, and then jump over a fence, sending authorities on a frantic two-week manhunt.
Cavalcante pleaded guilty to entering a home near the prison the night he escaped and stealing clothes, a knife, and other items. He also pleaded guilty to entering the garage of a home in North Coventry and stealing a .22 rifle, which he had on him when he was caught on Sep. 13.
Prosecutor Christopher Phillips with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office says the plea agreement balances justice for residents of Chester County affected by the massive manhunt.
“It also takes into account the expense of the trial, bringing him to Chester County from western Pennsylvania several times during the course of the hearing,” he said.
Cavalcante is currently serving his life sentence at SCI Greene in western Pennsylvania.