BOSTON — A district attorney in Boston has strongly condemned the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after an agent apprehended a defendant amid trial proceedings. This incident, involving a controversial detainment, took place last week when ICE agent Brian Sullivan took Wilson Martell-Lebron, aged 49, into custody as he exited the courthouse. A judge from the Boston Municipal Court later ruled against the ICE agent, accusing him of violating Martell-Lebron’s rights to due process and an equitable trial.
“This behavior by ICE is very concerning and irresponsibly risky,” stated Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden. “As highlighted by the judge, ICE’s actions have deprived Mr. Martell-Lebron of his essential right to a fair trial. It has also thwarted our office’s efforts to hold the accused accountable for his alleged wrongdoings.” Hayden further remarked that such actions compromise public safety in Boston, despite ICE’s claims to the contrary.
“I have observed ICE’s conduct over recent months and I am troubled by their detriment to our public safety objectives,” Hayden remarked. “We are now facing reluctance from witnesses to cooperate with investigators due to fears surrounding ICE. This negatively impacts public safety. Furthermore, we witness victims hesitating to report crimes against them due to trepidation over ICE. This too undermines public safety.” ICE did not respond to a request for a statement.
Subsequently, Judge Summerville overturned a charge against Martell-Lebron related to false statements on his driver’s license application. Following this, Summerville filed a contempt charge against Sullivan. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden is reviewing whether further charges should be pursued. “The entire situation is inexcusable,” stated Ryan Sullivan, Martell-Lebron’s attorney. “Law enforcement officers and prosecutors are obligated to ensure justice is served. Arresting someone without proper identification and denying their constitutional right to a trial is the epitome of injustice.”
In response, the Justice Department pressed for the contempt charge against Sullivan to be dismissed. They argued that the state court did not possess the authority to “issue such an unlawful and incorrect order.” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley emphasized that, “This state interference with federal duties conflicts with the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. This Court must immediately nullify the state court’s command because it violates federal governance fundamentals.”
Throughout Trump’s initial presidential tenure, immigration officials became more prominent in courthouses, often clashing with judges and other local authorities. During his second term, Trump pushed the boundaries further by rescinding a 2011 policy that urged ICE agents to avoid certain locations like schools, religious spaces, and medical facilities. Currently, immigration officials can arrest individuals near courthouses if they have dependable information suggesting that the targeted individuals will be present and if there are no prohibiting state or local laws.
“The timing of this arrest between Martell-Lebron’s trial days, seen by the state court as an infringement of his trial rights, does not shift the core legal analysis,” Foley explained. “The essence of Supremacy Clause immunity is that federal laws — not state laws or proceedings — command the actions of federal agents in performing their duties.” Hayden mentioned not recalling an ICE detainment occurring during an active trial session. “It was a situation that should not have commenced, and we are committed to ensuring it doesn’t happen again,” he assured reporters.
The scene during Martell-Lebron’s detainment was tense, according to Sullivan. ICE agents reportedly swooped down on Martell-Lebron without identifying themselves, bundled him into a vehicle, and hastened away. The trial proceedings had only just begun with opening remarks and testimonies. The Justice Department has since challenged that agents had identified themselves and instructed Martell-Lebron to halt before arresting.
Now residing in the Plymouth detention facility, Martell-Lebron, originally from the Dominican Republic and living with family in Massachusetts, is facing allegations of being an undocumented immigrant. The Justice Department claims he is unlawfully present in the United States and has a criminal history related to drug trafficking. ICE had allegedly been attempting to detain him since 2007.
During a two-day court hearing, the primary prosecution witness revealed that both Massachusetts State Police and prosecutors were aware of ICE’s intention to arrest Martell-Lebron. Sullivan contended that, “The issue we contested was their mid-trial arrest without a return. Had ICE brought him to court that Friday morning, we wouldn’t have pursued dismissal or sanctions and the trial would have proceeded.”
In a prior statement, state police insisted that they acted appropriately when informed of ICE’s intentions. “In situations involving federal immigration enforcement, Troopers follow protocol by neither aiding nor obstructing federal actions,” they explained. Hayden further supported his legal team, denying any collusion with ICE. He stated that they requested the judge on two occasions to order ICE to return Martell-Lebron to court.
“Every step we took showcased our commitment to holding Martell-Lebron accountable,” affirmed Hayden. “Our actions did not imply any cooperation with ICE to deny Martell-Lebron his trial rights. Claims suggesting our attorneys’ involvement with ICE’s removal actions lack any substantial evidence.”