ERO Boston apprehends unlawfully present Guatemalan charged with rape, witness intimidation

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston have apprehended a Guatemalan noncitizen charged with aggravated rape, witness intimidation and indecent assault and battery of a Massachusetts resident.

Officers from ERO Boston arrested 49-year-old Elmer Perez back on August 15 in North Dartmouth.

According to a release, Perez unlawfully entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, without inspection, admission or parole by a U.S. immigration official.

ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Perez in December of 2019 with the Bristol County Superior Court.

The Bristol County Superior Court arraigned Perez in February of 2020, on charges of aggravated rape, rape, intimidation of a witness and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age.

The Bristol County Superior Court notified ERO Boston that Perez would be released from custody on August 15.

Authorities at the Bristol Superior Court detention facility said they honored ERO Boston’s immigration detainer and released Perez into the custody of ERO Boston deportation officers.

At this time, Perez remains in ERO custody.