On Wednesday, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston apprehended Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles, a 25-year-old Haitian national who has been convicted of 17 offenses in Massachusetts.
Charles entered the United States legitimately on July 13, 2013, in Miami, Florida; however, ERO Boston claims he violated the restrictions of his valid immigration.
Charles has been arrested, charged, and convicted of 17 offenses between August 16, 2022, and August 14, 2024. Those crimes include both possession and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, trespassing, carrying a dangerous weapon such as brass knuckles, possession of a firearm without a permit and ammunition without a permit, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and resisting arrest.
ERO Boston said, “ICE ERO encountered Charles April 15, 2023, following one of these arrests. ERO Boston issued an immigration detainer against Charles with the Norfolk House of Correction in Massachusetts. However, the correctional facility released Charles Oct. 20, 2023, without honoring the immigration detainer.”
The Norfolk House of Correction in Massachusetts released a statement and they said, “The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for holding individuals remanded to our care and custody by the courts until that person makes bail, or has served their sentence. ICE is responsible for immigration enforcement. The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office works cooperatively with ICE. As is our general practice, if the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office is made aware of an ICE detainer we inform ICE of when that person will be released from our custody. According to our records, ICE was notified about the impending release of Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles It was then incumbent on ICE to be there and fulfill its role.”
“According to our records ICE indicated they were unable to make a pickup,” Norfolk House of Correction stated. “We cannot violate a person’s due process by holding them beyond their legally stipulated term of confinement. We comply fully, within our authority. We remain willing to communicate with ICE and we appreciate the work of all law enforcement to keep our communities safe.”
ICE ERO Boston officers detained Charles on January 22 in Boston and issued him a Notice to Appear before a DOJ immigration judge; he is still in ICE custody.