LOWELL, MA – A Brazilian national, facing child rape charges, was recently apprehended after a Massachusetts District Court overlooked a detainer request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and released him back into the public sphere.
The individual, who entered the country illegally, was initially detained by Border Patrol Arizona in July 2021, according to the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston. Following his arrest, he was released into custody.
The accused was later apprehended in Massachusetts on charges of child molestation in December. Despite a detainer request from ICE, the Milford District Court released the individual back into the community on a $5,000 bail in late January, without any prior notification.
On March 28, deportation officers from ERO Boston arrested the 20-year-old near his residence in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Todd Lyons, ICE Boston Field Office Director, expressed his concern over the situation. He stated that the Brazilian national is accused of sexually exploiting a minor in Massachusetts. Lyons emphasized that the longer this individual remains at large in the community, the greater the potential threat to the children in the area. He assured that ICE Boston is committed to prioritizing public safety and protecting New England residents from such serious noncitizen offenders.