Reprimand for Judge After Helping Illegal Alien Evade Authorities

Sanctuary judges have been put “on notice” following the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s formal reprimand of Judge Shelley Joseph. This action came after it was determined that she appeared to assist an illegal alien in evading Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) General Counsel James Percival.

In April 2018, an individual named Oscar Manuel Peguero, also known as Jose Medina-Perez, found himself in a Massachusetts courtroom after being arrested for drug possession. At that time, Peguero had a warrant out for his arrest for being a fugitive from justice in Pennsylvania.

On the day of his drug arrest, ICE agents had placed a detainer on Peguero. However, that detainer was disregarded. While Judge Joseph presided over the proceedings, ICE agents were waiting outside the courtroom to arrest him.

Prosecutors claimed that Judge Joseph allowed Peguero to leave through a back door in order to evade the ICE agents. The following year, she faced charges for conspiracy to obstruct justice and aiding in the obstruction of a federal proceeding.

In 2022, the Biden administration decided to drop the charges against her. On September 10, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a formal reprimand, pointing out that she “created an appearance of impropriety in violation of her duties” by turning off the audio recording of the case.

Percival stated to Breitbart News that this reprimand serves as a warning for sanctuary judges. “This judicial misconduct reflects what DHS is facing across the country,” he noted. “Certain judges believe it is their role to undermine rather than uphold federal immigration law. Assisting illegal aliens in evading immigration authorities is a felony. Sanctuary politicians and judges should take note.”

Peguero initially entered the United States illegally in January 2003 when he arrived in Boston and falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen. He was arrested and deported shortly after. In April 2007, he crossed the southern border illegally through New Mexico and was apprehended by Border Patrol agents. Peguero was deported again in June 2007 and, at some later point, managed to cross the border once more.