Local judge holds ICE agent in contempt for detaining a defendant mid-trial

[Timber Rattler]

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-03-31/local-judge-holds-ice-agent-in-contempt-for-detaining-a-defendant-mid-trial

A municipal judge has accused the federal government of violating a man’s rights by intervening in a local jury trial.

Last week, Wilson Martell-Lebron appeared in court for a trial over charges that he provided false information on a driver’s license application and forged a document. During a lunch break on Thursday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained him outside the courthouse. He had been free prior to that.

Boston Municipal Court judge Mark Summerville said in so doing, ICE agent Brian Sullivan violated Wilson Martell-Lebron’s rights to due process and a fair trial.

“The finding of contempt is a consequence of agent Sullivan’s intentional and egregious violations of the defendant’s rights,” Summerville said on Monday.

He referred the case to Suffolk District attorney Kevin Hayden’s office for investigation and potential prosecution. Being held in contempt means Sullivan can could face jail time if the district attorney’s office chooses to prosecute the case. Summerville also dismissed with prejudice the underlying case against Martell-Lebron.

(snip)

On Monday, Summerville found two state police troopers were aware of ICE’s plans and violated Martell-Lebron’s rights, but didn’t hold them in contempt.

EXCERPT

Interesting collision of state vs federal actions...so who's going to try and arrest the ICE agent?

[Wingnut]

Another Tin Pot Judge.  What you gonna do little judgie? 

[Camp]

Not a thing.

That is what he will do.  Nothing but run his mouth.

Maybe skip lunch next time???

 

[Timber Rattler]

Update:

Justice Dept. tells Boston judge, DA to back off an ICE agent found in contempt of court

https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/04/justice-dept-tells-boston-judge-da-to-back-off-an-ice-agent-found-in-contempt-of-court.html

Only hours after Boston’s top prosecutor criticized federal immigration officials on Wednesday as “extraordinarily reckless” for detaining a man mid-trial last week, the U.S. Department of Justice responded in a series of remarkable letters and court filings.

U.S. Attorney of Massachusetts Leah Foley issued a strongly worded letter to a Boston judge who found an immigration agent in contempt of court on Monday.

“While you may disagree with the enforcement of our federal immigration laws, there is simply no legal basis for you to hold federal officers in criminal contempt for carrying out their sworn duties,” Foley wrote. “Any attempt or threat to interfere with the lawful functions of federal government agents will not be tolerated.”

EXCERPT

[Wingnut]

Update:

Justice Dept. tells Boston judge, DA to back off an ICE agent found in contempt of court

https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/04/justice-dept-tells-boston-judge-da-to-back-off-an-ice-agent-found-in-contempt-of-court.html

EXCERPT

Again I ask, Hey little judgie, whatcha gonna do, bark all day or are you gonna bite?

[Free Vulcan]

Charge the little despot with obstruction.

[Fishrrman]

“While you may disagree with the enforcement of our federal immigration laws, there is simply no legal basis for you to hold federal officers in criminal contempt for carrying out their sworn duties,” Foley wrote. “Any attempt or threat to interfere with the lawful functions of federal government agents will not be tolerated.”

THAT is how you handle judges like this one.

(and if you think I hold much of "the legal system" in low regard, well, you may just be right...)

[Smokin Joe]

“While you may disagree with the enforcement of our federal immigration laws, there is simply no legal basis for you to hold federal officers in criminal contempt for carrying out their sworn duties,” Foley wrote. “Any attempt or threat to interfere with the lawful functions of federal government agents will not be tolerated.”

THAT is how you handle judges like this one.

(and if you think I hold much of "the legal system" in low regard, well, you may just be right...)

C'mon, man. It's only 99% of the lawyers who give the rest a bad name.