Feds apologize to Rhode Island judge over ICE detainee release

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — An ICE detainee release in Rhode Island is drawing increased scrutiny after federal officials acknowledged they failed to share key information with a judge before her order was issued. The detainee, a man wanted for murder in the Dominican Republic, was released from federal custody before prosecutors later admitted they did not disclose that he was wanted overseas in connection with a homicide case.

The case involves Bryan Rafael Gomez, who had been held by immigration authorities after his arrest in Massachusetts earlier this year. Gomez was taken into custody by ICE after Worcester police arrested him on an assault-related charge. Local authorities later released him on bail before federal immigration officials detained him.

During an April court hearing in Rhode Island, U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose ordered Gomez released with conditions while his immigration case continued. At the time of the hearing, the court was not informed that Dominican authorities had issued a warrant seeking him in connection with a homicide investigation.

Federal officials later acknowledged that prosecutors had information about the warrant before the hearing. However, court filings stated that ICE instructed that information not be shared at that time. Officials said authorization to disclose details about the international warrant had not yet been granted.

The case quickly sparked criticism after the Department of Homeland Security publicly blamed the judge for the release. That criticism intensified after officials later acknowledged the judge did not have access to the information about the warrant when the decision was made.

The handling of the case has since drawn additional scrutiny. Judge DuBose later ordered further review into the circumstances surrounding the missing information and raised concerns about how the case was presented in court.