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.