New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“I applaud United States Attorney Andrew Lelling for taking action by bringing an indictment against Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, who is alleged to have assisted a criminal illegal alien to evade our federal law enforcement officers.
The alleged conduct of this judge is a direct violation of her oath to uphold the law and protect the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
No judge, mayor or other official has the right to violate our laws by attempting to harbor or conceal someone from the enforcement efforts of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.
Blatant attempts to provide sanctuary to lawbreakers not only erodes our expectation of equal protection under the law but also exposes the law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants who we are sworn to protect to greater threats of danger.
Upholding and enforcing our nation’s laws is essential to preserving a safe and secure America.” Sherriff Hodgson
Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, 51, of Natick, court officer, Wesley MacGregor, 56, of Watertown were both charged with obstruction of justice Thursday. They refused to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to take custody of an undocumented immigrant who was a fugitive wanted on narcotics charges and had already been deported twice.
On April 2, 2018 an ICE officer came to Newton district court to take custody of the suspect. Judge Joseph asked the ICE officer to wait outside the courtroom, had the court clerk shut off the court recording – a violation of Massachusetts court rules – and then made arrangements for the suspect and his lawyer to leave through a back door.
The court officer then escorted the suspect through the lockup area, used his security access card to open the rear sally-port exit and released the suspect into the public.
