A Massachusetts judge is in trouble with the law after impeding the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a Thursday report.
“U.S. federal prosecutors on Thursday charged a Massachusetts judge and court officer with conspiracy and obstruction, saying they blocked an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer from arresting an illegal immigrant at a 2018 court proceeding,” said Reuters.
District Court Judge Shelley Joseph was charged along with Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor.
“They focus on an April 2018 hearing in Newton District Court, outside Boston, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer intended to arrest an unidentified suspected illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic facing a drug charge,” the report said.
Joseph “huddled” with the defendant’s attorney and told the attorney that was not going to allow ICE into the courtroom. She reportedly allowed the suspect to exit through the rear door of the courtroom, while the ICE agent waited in the front lobby.
“The state Supreme Judicial Court suspended Joseph without pay, but said its move “in no way reflects any opinion on the merits of the pending criminal case,” according to the report.
Joseph faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The suspect was later caught and arrested.
view the rest of the comments →
[–] 18305525? ago
Don't do the crime . . . . .