ICE nabs Haitian gang member with numerous convictions
BOSTON, Massachusetts (CMC) – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says officers from its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston, Massachusetts have apprehended an illegally present 25-year-old Haitian who has 17 criminal convictions in Massachusetts.
On Friday, ICE said officers from ERO Boston arrested Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles, a member of a violent Haitian street gang, in Boston on Wednesday.
Charles’ convictions include multiple drug, weapons, and assault and battery crimes.
“Mr Charles is illegally present in the United States and has consistently broken our laws causing significant harm to the residents of Massachusetts,” said acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “ERO Boston will not tolerate the repeated victimisation of our New England neighbourhoods.
“We will continue our mission to apprehend such illegal alien offenders and remove them from our communities,” she added.
Charles entered the US lawfully July 13, 2013 in Miami, Florida; however, 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, including both possession of and possession to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, trespassing, carrying a dangerous weapon with 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, ICE said.
The immigration enforcement agency said ERO encountered Charles on April 15, 2023, following one of these arrests.
ICE said ERO Boston issued an immigration detainer against Charles with the Norfolk House of Correction in Massachusetts.
However, ICE said the correctional facility released Charles on October 20, 2023, without honouring the immigration detainer.
ICE said officers with ICE ERO Boston arrested Charles on January 22, in Boston and issued him a Notice to Appear before a Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judge.
Charles remains in ICE custody.
