ERO Boston arrests Guatemalan national after being released without bail on assault/battery and rape charges

BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested an unlawfully present Guatemalan national on November 21. Local authorities had recently charged him with assault and battery and rape.

“I’m very proud of our team of officers who made this arrest, which makes the residents of the community safer and more secure,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons. “ERO Boston is committed to seeking out and apprehending unlawfully present individuals who pose a serious threat to public safety. Those who violate U.S. immigration law and represent a public safety threat will be apprehended and will face removal. ERO Boston is strongly committed to this part of our mission; we will continue to seek to achieve it every day.”

Local police arrested the 35-year-old in Lynn for assault and battery on a household member and rape November 15 and arraigned him on those charges the following day. ERO Boston determined that the native of Guatemala had been arrested twice in 2006 by U.S. Border Patrol after twice unlawfully entering the United States. He was voluntarily removed to Mexico both times and subsequently unlawfully reentered the United States again on an unknown date.

Following confirmation of his immigration status, ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer seeking custody of him with the Lynn Police Department. Despite an active immigration detainer, the Lynn District Court released the Guatemalan national on his own recognizance after arraignment on the assault and battery and rape charges.

ERO Boston arrested the Guatemalan native without incident in Lynn on Nov. 21 following his release. His charges remain pending with the local criminal court. He will remain in ICE custody pending an upcoming hearing before a Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judge. Following adjudication of his local criminal charges, ERO Boston will seek his removal from the United States.

ERO Boston did not release the suspect’s name.