ICE Arrests Illegal Immigrant Facing Child Sex Crime Charges Despite Release by Local Authorities
An illegal immigrant from Guatemala, Josue Santiago Perez Gomez, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shortly after being released by Rhode Island authorities despite facing charges related to child sex crimes and having an active ICE detainer. Perez Gomez, who is living in the U.S. illegally, was charged with patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity, indecent solicitation of a child, and procurement of sexual conduct for a fee.
The Portsmouth Police Department arrested Perez Gomez on July 12 for the aforementioned charges. ICE Boston promptly filed an immigration detainer, but the police did not honor it, leading to Perez Gomez's release hours later. The Portsmouth police did not provide immediate comment on the matter.
Earlier on the same day, ICE Boston officers had arrested Perez Gomez on immigration violation charges and served him with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge. An ICE spokesperson emphasized that Perez Gomez poses a significant threat to children due to the nature of the crimes he is accused of committing.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting field office Director Patricia Hyde expressed concern over the release of an alleged child sex offender on the day of his arrest, questioning the purpose of the arrest if the individual is released immediately. ICE was able to remove Perez Gomez from the streets to prevent potential reoffending, as local authorities allowed him to be released.
The timeline of Perez Gomez's illegal entry into the U.S. and the location of his border crossing remain unclear. He was not inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official. Perez Gomez will be held in ICE custody until the conclusion of his removal proceedings.
In conclusion, the arrest and subsequent release of Josue Santiago Perez Gomez, an illegal immigrant facing child sex crime charges, highlight the challenges and concerns surrounding immigration enforcement and public safety. ICE's actions to detain Perez Gomez underscore the agency's commitment to addressing threats posed by criminal offenders in the community.