On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the New York Post reported that a Massachusetts judge, Shelley Joseph, is scheduled to face a public hearing on June 9 for allegedly assisting an illegal immigrant in evading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in 2018. This case mirrors a recent incident involving a Wisconsin magistrate, Hannah Dugan, who was arrested for similar misconduct.
Judge Joseph, serving on the Boston Municipal Court, is accused of engaging in “willful judicial misconduct” after allowing twice-deported migrant Jose Medina-Perez to escape her courtroom just as ICE agents arrived to detain him.
The hearing will be conducted by the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which oversees judicial misconduct investigations and will resemble a trial, allowing Joseph’s legal team to present evidence in her defense.
The allegations stem from a previous charge made by former U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, appointed by Donald Trump, who accused Joseph of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstructing justice. These charges were linked to her actions in helping Medina-Perez, who was facing narcotics charges, exit through a back door as immigration officials approached. However, the initial charges were dropped after Joseph surrendered, leading to her case being redirected to the commission.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct subsequently filed charges against Joseph last year. Her attorney, Thomas Hoopes, has refrained from commenting publicly on the case.
This development follows the arrest of Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan, who was charged with aiding a Mexican illegal immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in avoiding federal authorities during a pre-trial hearing. Dugan has served on the Milwaukee County bench for almost ten years and faces similar accusations of obstruction of justice. Flores-Ruiz reportedly re-entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2013 and was apprehended following a foot chase outside the courthouse.
As a result of the allegations, Judge Dugan was suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Her legal representatives expressed disappointment over the court’s unilateral decision, asserting her innocence and looking forward to her vindication in court.
At this point, it remains uncertain whether Judge Joseph intends to negotiate a resolution before her upcoming hearing. Her attorney has not responded to inquiries regarding her plans.
Source: New York Post
