By Tiffany Williams –
A Dominican noncitizen residing in Boston, who unlawfully entered the United States on January 9, 2023, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston.
Jose Pena-Casilla, 46 was charged in Boston Municipal Court Dorchester Division on July, 15 with kidnapping, assault to rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on person 14 or over, and intimidating a witness/juror/police/court official.
In Agust 2024, Pena-Casilla was indicted in Suffolk County Superior Court, and was scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk County Superior Court on September 4, 2024, but did not show, and arraignment was rescheduled for September 11.
At his arraignment on September 11, Pena-Casilla was present and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On December 17, 2024, a straight warrant was issued for Pena-Casilla, but the court also canceled all future court appearances, including a jury trial, which was scheduled for September 2025.
On Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Pena-Casilla was apprehended but gave no additional information.
Pena-Casilla unlawfully entered the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas, on January 9, 2023. Enforcement and Removal Operations in Del Rio enrolled Pena-Casilla into the Alternatives to Detention program and placed him into removal proceedings, but then released Pena-Casilla on his own recognizance.
Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston terminated Pena-Casilla from the Alternatives to Detention program on February 16, 2023.
Before Pena-Casilla was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Dorchester Division, Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston sent Boston Police an immigration detainer, a request from ICE that asks a federal, state or local law enforcement agencies including jails, prisons or other confinement facilities to notify the requesting agency as early as possible before they release a removable noncitizen or hold the noncitizen for up to an additional 48 hours. ICE says, “This allows ICE time to take custody of those individuals in accordance with federal immigration law.”
On July 17, 2024, Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston also sent the immigration detainer lodged against Pena-Casilla to the Nashua Street Jail of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. But ICE said, “The Dorchester District Court ignored ERO Boston’s immigration detainer and released Pena-Casilla on bail with GPS conditions the next day.”