By Tiffany Williams –
On Wednesday U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston apprehended 25-year-old Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles, a Haitian national who has been convicted of 17 crimes in Massachusetts.
Charles entered the U.S. lawfully July 13, 2013 in Miami, Florida; however ERO Boston says, he violated the terms of his lawful admission.
Charles has been arrested, charged, and convicted for 17 crimes between Aug. 16, 2022, and Aug. 14, 2024. Those crimes include both possession of and possession to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, trespassing, carrying dangerous weapon to wit brass knuckles, possession of a firearm without a permit and possession of ammunition without a permit, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, 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.”
Officers with ICE ERO Boston arrested Charles January 22, in Boston and issued him a Notice to Appear before a DOJ immigration judge, and he remains in ICE custody.