The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrests of two individuals in Massachusetts—a suspected child sexual predator and a confirmed MS-13 gang member. These arrests are part of ICE’s ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals accused of serious crimes who are also in the country unlawfully.
Alleged Child Predator Arrested in Lynn
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston team tracked down Belardis Tapia Gonzalez, a Dominican national accused of second-degree child molestation and sexual assault in Rhode Island. Gonzalez was arrested on Monday in Lynn, Massachusetts, after being released on bail by a Rhode Island court.
The Charges: Gonzalez faces accusations of committing egregious crimes involving child sexual assault in Rhode Island.
Release on Bail: Despite the severity of the allegations, a Warwick, Rhode Island, court released him on bail. ICE officers later apprehended Gonzalez after identifying him as a public safety risk.
Next Steps: Gonzalez remains in ICE custody and has been issued a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge for further legal proceedings.
Patricia Hyde, acting field office director for ERO Boston, highlighted the significance of this arrest, stating:
“ERO Boston is tasked with keeping our communities safe from potentially dangerous noncitizens—particularly those accused of crimes so egregious as child sexual assault. Our officers apprehended Tapia, who has been accused of terrible crimes after we discovered that a court in Warwick, Rhode Island, released him on bail.”
MS-13 Gang Member Captured in Northampton
The same week, ERO Boston arrested Jose Luis Castro Jovel, a 24-year-old Salvadoran national and a confirmed member of the notorious MS-13 gang, in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Illegal Entry: ICE reported that Castro entered the United States unlawfully at an unknown time and location without inspection, admission, or parole by U.S. immigration officials.
Previous Removal Order: A Department of Justice immigration judge had issued a removal order for Castro on March 22, 2023, but he had evaded deportation and remained in the country.
Criminal History: Northampton police arrested Castro in January 2023 for assault and battery on a family or household member. ICE placed an immigration detainer on him, but the Northampton District Court released him from custody in February without notifying federal authorities.
ICE officials expressed concern over the lack of communication between local courts and federal agencies, which allowed Castro to remain at large despite his removal order.
Other Recent Arrests in Massachusetts
These arrests come on the heels of other high-profile detentions by ICE in Massachusetts. Last week, the agency announced it had detained:
Two undocumented immigrants were charged with forcibly raping children in the state.
A third individual was convicted of raping a child in Brazil and had been hiding in the U.S. after being caught and released at the southern border in 2022.
ICE emphasized that its efforts are focused on targeting individuals who pose significant risks to public safety, particularly those with violent criminal histories.
Local Policy and Cooperation Challenges
The arrests highlight ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local policies in Massachusetts. Governor Maura Healey has publicly stated that her administration opposes cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts, signaling challenges in addressing cases involving noncitizens accused of serious crimes.
Critics argue that releasing individuals without notifying ICE undermines public safety, while proponents of limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities contend that it protects immigrant communities from overreach.
ICE’s Call for Action
ICE officials continue to stress the importance of collaboration between local and federal authorities to prevent similar incidents. They argue that the failure to honor detainers or notify federal authorities when releasing individuals accused of violent crimes compromises community safety.
In a statement, ICE said:
“When local jurisdictions release individuals without notifying ICE, it puts communities at risk and undermines the rule of law. We urge all jurisdictions to prioritize public safety by ensuring proper communication with federal agencies.”
As the debate over immigration policy continues, ICE remains committed to tracking and apprehending individuals who pose a threat to public safety, regardless of the challenges posed by local policies.
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