ICE arrests member of Haitian street gang with numerous convictions in Boston

BOSTON — ICE officers in Boston have arrested a ‘Haitian street gang’ member with numerous convictions who was in the U.S. illegally.

On Wednesday, January 22, officers took 25-year-old Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles into custody in Boston following convictions for 17 crimes, including drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and assault.

“Mr. Charles is illegally present the United States and has consistently broken our laws causing significant harm to the residents of Massachusetts,” said acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “ERO Boston will not tolerate the repeated victimization of our New England neighborhoods. We will continue our mission to apprehend such illegal alien offenders and remove them from our communities.”

In a press release, ICE said Charles entered the U.S. lawfully on July 13, 2013, in Miami, Florida but “violated the terms of his lawful admission.”

Charles has been arrested, charged, and convicted for 17 crimes between August 16, 2022, and August 14, 2024, including both possession of and possession to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, trespassing, carrying a dangerous weapon to wit brass knuckles, possession of a firearm without a permit and possession of ammunition without a permit, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and resisting arrest.

“ICE ERO encountered Charles April 15, 2023, following one of these arrests. ERO Boston issued an immigration detainer against Charles with the Norfolk House of Correction in Massachusetts,” an ICE release said. However, the correctional facility released Charles on October. 20, 2023, without honoring the immigration detainer.

According to the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office records, ICE was notified about the impending release of Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles.

“It was then incumbent on ICE to be there and fulfill its role. According to our records, ICE indicated they were unable to make a pickup,” Sheriff Patrick McDermott said in a statement. “We cannot violate a person’s due process by holding them beyond their legally stipulated term of confinement. We comply fully, within our authority. We remain willing to communicate with ICE and we appreciate the work of all law enforcement to keep our communities safe,” McDermott added.

ICE ERO Boston has issued Charles a Notice to Appear before a DOJ immigration judge, and he remains in ICE custody.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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