The courtroom gasped as Boston Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph faced a misconduct hearing over claims she helped an illegal immigrant escape ICE custody — through the back door of her courtroom.
The immigrant, Jose Medina-Perez, a twice-deported Dominican national wanted on drug and fugitive charges, was supposed to be apprehended by ICE agents waiting in the lobby. Instead, prosecutors say Judge Joseph conspired with a court clerk and the defense attorney to sneak him out through the rear.
And that’s not all.
Federal prosecutors claim the judge even turned off the court audio for nearly a minute — a move that’s raising questions nationwide. Her defense insists she’s neither a criminal nor a hero — but Boston locals say everyone knows she helped him walk.
The Trump-era Justice Department dropped criminal charges in 2022, but Massachusetts hit back with formal misconduct charges. This isn’t the first: two more judges have also been accused of aiding illegal immigrants in other states, including one with suspected gang ties.
The case has split public opinion wide open — with half calling her a hero… and the other half demanding jail time.
👉 Full breakdown in comments. Drop your thoughts. Folk hero or felony?