Boston judge holds ICE agent in contempt and issues bench warrant after man detained mid-trial ; dismisses case due to prosecutorial misconduct

Boston judge holds ICE agent in contempt after man detained mid-trial​

Wilson Martell-Lebron was facing two felony charges from 2020 related to filing a false application for a driver’s license. After some COVID-related delays, his jury trial began last Thursday, according to court records. Court records note that Martell-Lebron was present, with a Spanish interpreter, on Thursday, but did not appear on Friday.

The Boston Globe first reported that Martell-Lebron was detained by ICE agents late Thursday afternoon. Plainclothes ICE agents placed Martell-Lebron in an unmarked van and drove away, according to a video shared by Martell-Lebron’s defense attorneys with multiple news organizations.

Judge Mark Summerville held ICE agent Brian Sullivan in contempt Monday for allegedly obstructing justice, the Globe reported. ICE Agent Sullivan, Steven Wells, and any other agent involved in the arrest were ordered Friday to appear for an evidentiary hearing, and a bench warrant was issued for Sullivan.

State Police Trooper David Dumont testified Friday, and, according to the Globe, told the judge that “it was more or less understood” that ICE was sending someone to “grab the defendant.” [Per Massachusetts law, the troopers didn't help or hinder the immigration action.]

[Judge puts a halt to the proceedings against Martell-Lebron.]

After dismissing the jurors, Summerville also permanently dismissed the Suffolk County District Attorney’s case against Martell-Lebron due to prosecutorial misconduct.

Justice Dept. tells Boston judge, DA to back off an ICE agent found in contempt of court​

U.S. Attorney of Massachusetts Leah Foley issued a strongly worded letter to a Boston judge who found an immigration agent in contempt of court on Monday.

“Any attempt or threat to interfere with the lawful functions of federal government agents will not be tolerated.”

Foley, whose office operates under the U.S. Justice Department, also said that federal officials moved to vacate the order of contempt entered against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent by the Boston Municipal Court.

She cited the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution that immunizes federal officers from state prosecution for actions taken in the course of their official duties.

hedrick said:

Im starting to wonder whether ICE agents are being given large quotas, and responding by doing unreasonable things, because reasonable ones aren’t turning up enough victims. I

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Correct.

essentialsaltes said:

In late January, Vitello told ICE’s 25 field office directors they should arrest at least 75 immigrants per day for a national daily total of 1,200 to 1,500.

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