A Boston judge has found ICE agent Brian Sullivan in contempt after he arrested Wilson Martell-Lebron while the man was attending his trial. Martell-Lebron faced charges for allegedly making false statements on a driver’s license application. Judge Mark Summerville ruled that Sullivan’s actions violated Martell-Lebron’s rights to due process and a fair trial, emphasizing the seriousness of preventing a defendant from being present and confronting witnesses. Following the arrest, the judge dismissed the charge against Martell-Lebron and filed the contempt citation against Sullivan, prompting potential review by Suffolk County prosecutors.
Martell-Lebron’s lawyer, Ryan Sullivan, condemned the arrest, calling it a major injustice that undermined the constitutional right to a jury trial. The incident reflects ongoing tensions in Boston, a designated sanctuary city, where local authorities limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. President Trump’s administration and Republican lawmakers have criticized the city for protecting undocumented immigrants, especially those facing criminal charges. ICE agents apprehended Martell-Lebron without identifying themselves and transported him to Plymouth detention facility, disrupting his trial proceedings.
The episode highlights the broader policy shifts under Trump, allowing immigration arrests near courthouses. During the hearing, ICE testified that prosecutors and state police were aware of the planned arrest, and the state police confirmed they neither assisted nor obstructed the operation. The case underscores the legal and ethical conflicts between federal immigration enforcement and defendants’ courtroom rights.