Teen Denied Bail in Immigration Court

A Brazilian teenager, reported to have a significant criminal background and possible gang connections, recently expressed remorse for his actions while appearing in a virtual court hearing. He asked for forgiveness just before a judge denied his bail request.

The boy, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed, has been detained at the Northwest Virginia Regional Juvenile Detention Center since his arrest on October 9. Federal prosecutors argued against his release, stating he posed a risk to public safety and might flee.

The teenager’s lawyer, Andrew Latterullo, commented on the boy’s condition, noting he seemed to struggle to speak, sounding like a typical 13-year-old. He also mentioned that the boy and his family have pending asylum claims, having entered the United States without authorization in 2021. There may be options for voluntary deportation for them.

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria provided insight into the situation, mentioning that the boy was detained following a violent threat made against another student. He clarified that the boy had a knife at the time of the arrest, contradicting earlier reports claiming he possessed a gun.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has linked the teenager to a Brazilian gang, “Gang 33,” which allegedly raises concerns about his criminal history. DeMaria described the boy as “well known” to local law enforcement.

Additionally, there are calls from the Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights for a state-level investigation into the actions of the Everett Police Department regarding this case.