Boston, MA — A judge in Boston has found a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in contempt of court after the agent detained a defendant during an active trial.
The incident occurred when ICE agent Brian Sullivan arrested Wilson Martell-Lebron just as he exited the courthouse, interrupting legal proceedings. Boston Municipal Court Judge Mark Summerville ruled that the arrest infringed upon the defendant’s right to due process and a fair trial.
“It’s a case of violating a defendant’s right to be present at trial and confront witnesses against him,” Judge Summerville stated. “It couldn’t be more serious.”
As a result, the judge dismissed the charge Martell-Lebron was facing, which involved allegations of providing false information on a driver’s license application. Judge Summerville also initiated a contempt proceeding against the ICE agent responsible for the arrest.
Legal Process Interrupted
Defense attorneys expressed concern over the timing and method of the arrest. According to Ryan Sullivan, one of Martell-Lebron’s lawyers, the ICE agents did not clearly identify themselves during the arrest. “It’s deeply troubling when someone is taken into custody in the middle of a trial,” he said. “Everyone has a constitutional right to a fair and complete hearing.”
The courtroom was in the early stages of the trial, with opening statements and initial witnesses just underway. Martell-Lebron, a native of the Dominican Republic who had been living in Massachusetts, was taken to the Plymouth County detention facility following the arrest.
City Policy and Federal Actions
Boston has adopted a policy limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. While city officers do not actively assist in immigration enforcement, they are also instructed not to interfere when federal agents take lawful action.
According to court testimony, ICE had informed both the state police and local prosecutors in advance about the planned arrest. State police later confirmed they had followed standard procedures by neither aiding nor obstructing the action.
Defense counsel noted that if Martell-Lebron had been allowed to complete his court appearance, there would have been no request to dismiss the case or sanction the agent. “We were prepared to finish the trial,” Ryan Sullivan said.
Ongoing Debate Around Courthouse Arrests
The case has reignited discussions about when and where federal immigration arrests should occur. In previous years, there were informal guidelines limiting arrests
at locations like schools and courthouses. Current practices allow such actions when officials believe the individual will be present, as long as no local regulations prohibit it.
Whether further legal or disciplinary action will follow the contempt finding remains to be seen. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office is expected to review the case and determine if any charges or formal measures will be pursued against the ICE agent involved.
