ICE officers in Boston arrested a Haitian street gang member with multiple convictions for being in the United States illegally.
Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles, 25, was taken into custody by police in Boston on Wednesday, January 22, after being convicted on 17 counts of drug trafficking, weapons offenses and assault.
“Mr. Charles is in the United States illegally and has consistently violated our laws and caused significant harm to Massachusetts residents,” said Acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “ERO Boston will not tolerate the repeated victimization of our New England communities. We will continue our mission to apprehend such illegal alien criminals and remove them from our communities.
ICE said in a news release that Charles entered the United States legally on July 13, 2013 in Miami, Florida, but “violated the terms of his lawful entry.”
Charles was arrested, charged and convicted of 17 offenses between August 16, 2022 and August 14, 2024, including possession and distribution of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, criminal trespassing, and carrying brass knuckles to endanger weapons, possession of a firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without a license, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery and resisting arrest.
“ICE ERO encountered Charles on April 15, 2023, following one of his arrests. Boston ERO issued an immigration detention order against Charles at the Norfolk Correctional Facility in Massachusetts,” an ICE press release stated. However, the Correctional Facility released Charles in October. On February 20, 2023, immigration detainees were not treated with respect.
According to Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office records, ICE was notified that Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles was about to be released.
“ICE had a duty to be present and perform its duties at that time. Based on our records, ICE indicated they were unable to make the pickup,” Sheriff Patrick McDermott said in a statement. “We cannot violate due process by violating the terms of imprisonment required by law. We are fully within our authority. We remain willing to communicate with ICE, and we appreciate the work of all law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe.”
ICE ERO Boston has issued a notice of appearance to Charles, requiring him to appear before an immigration judge from the Department of Justice. He is still detained by ICE.
This is a development story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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