U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Boston have arrested Juan Rene Barcenes-Velasquez, a 56-year-old Guatemalan national, who has been charged with sex crimes against a minor in Massachusetts. ICE took custody of Barcenes-Velasquez on March 31 after he was turned over by the Worcester District Court.
"Juan Rene Barcenes-Velasquez illegally entered the United States and unlawfully settled in Massachusetts," stated Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston. "Now he has apparently repeatedly victimized a child, doing unthinkable damage to her. Barcenes-Velasquez represents a significant threat to our community that ICE Boston will not tolerate. We will continue to prioritize the safety of New England by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders."
Barcenes-Velasquez's entry into the United States was undocumented, with no record of inspection or admission by U.S. immigration officials.
The Worcester District Court had previously arraigned him on May 27, 2003, for violating an abuse prevention order, resulting in his conviction and probation. On March 31 this year, he faced arraignment for five counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old. Following this arraignment, ICE lodged an immigration detainer which was honored by the court.
"We are happy that our law enforcement partners opted to honor our immigration detainer against Barcenes-Velasquez," said Hyde. "It is refreshing that our partners in Worcester placed a priority on public safety. The alternative would be for ICE to send a team of officers to make an at-large arrest potentially placing the officers, the offender — and most importantly, the community — in harm’s way."
After taking custody from local authorities, ICE served Barcenes-Velasquez with a notice to appear before an immigration judge from the Justice Department. He remains detained by ICE.
The public can report crimes or suspicious activities through their hotline at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or via their online tip form.
More information about ICE's mission is available on X at @EROBoston.
