ICE arrests alleged child sex predator, MS-13 gang member in Massachusetts

An alleged child sexual predator and MS-13 gang member has been apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Massachusetts. ICE revealed that its Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston division successfully located Belardis Tapia Gonzalez, a Dominican national accused of second-degree child molestation-sexual assault in Rhode Island, in Lynn on Monday. Patricia Hyde, the acting Field Office Director of ERO Boston, emphasized the importance of safeguarding communities from potentially dangerous noncitizens, especially individuals accused of such heinous crimes as child sexual assault. Gonzalez, currently in ICE custody, has been served with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.

Additionally, ERO Boston also arrested Jose Luis Castro Jovel, a 24-year-old Salvadoran national and confirmed MS-13 gang member, on November 13 in Northampton. Castro had entered the U.S. without inspection, admission, or parole by a U.S. immigration official. Despite a removal order from a Department of Justice immigration judge in 2023, Castro remained in the country. Northampton police had previously arrested Castro for assault and battery of a family or household member, leading ERO Boston to lodge an immigration detainer against him. However, he was released by the Northampton District Court without notifying ERO Boston.

These recent arrests come on the heels of ICE’s announcement of the detention of two illegal immigrants charged with forcibly raping children in Massachusetts and another individual convicted of raping a child in Brazil. The individual from Brazil had been caught and released at the U.S. border in 2022, subsequently evading authorities until now.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared that the state will not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts under the incoming administration. The state’s stance on immigration enforcement has been a subject of controversy and debate.

In conclusion, the efforts of ICE in apprehending individuals accused of such abhorrent crimes as child sexual assault and gang-related activities are crucial in maintaining the safety and security of communities. The collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies is essential in effectively addressing and deterring criminal activities committed by noncitizens. The commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for victims remains a top priority for law enforcement authorities.