Newton Judge's Indictment In Deportation Case 'Chilling': AG

NEWTON, MA — The state Attorney General said federal authorities launched a "politically motivated attack" with the indictment of a Newton judge accused of helping a man escape federal immigration officers. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling announced Thursday a federal grand jury had indicted Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph and a court officer on three counts of obstruction of justice. The pair were accused of allowing a man wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to escape court through a back door.

Lelling claimed the indictment was not political.

"This case is not intended as a policy statement," he said. "At least not beyond making the point that the laws have to apply equally, even if you're a state court judge."

Hours after the indictment, state Attorney General Maura Healey blasted the move.

"Today’s indictment is a radical and politically-motivated attack on our state and the independence of our courts," said Healey in a statement. "It is a bedrock principle of our constitutional system that federal prosecutors should not recklessly interfere with the operation of state courts and their administration of justice. This matter could have been appropriately handled by the Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Trial Court. I am deeply disappointed by U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling’s misuse of prosecutorial resources and the chilling effect his actions will have."

The ACLU of Massachusetts called for the case to be dropped.

“The Department of Justice’s decision to bring this case is preposterous, ironic, and deeply damaging to the rule of law," said Carol Rose the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, said in a statement after the indictments were issued."The Department of Justice has now charged a state judge and court security officer based on a theory of obstruction that is shockingly aggressive."

"In this case, like so many others across Massachusetts, an ICE officer staked out a state court and made it difficult for court officials to do their job, which is to ensure that people in state court have access to justice. But instead of rethinking its own awful behavior, the federal government has now charged a judge and a court officer with crimes," the statement read.

Joseph was appointed as a district court judge in 2017. She was suspended without pay, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said.

"This prosecution is absolutely political," Joseph's attorney, Thomas Hoopes, told reporters outside the courthouse Thursday, the Associated Press reported. "Shelley Joseph is absolutely innocent."

Joseph stood behind him Thursday appearing to fight back tears. She didn't issue a comment.

Previously on Patch:

• Baker Calls For Newton Judge To Be Suspended Amid Probe
• Newton Judge Under Investigation: Did She Help Someone
• Boston Federal Judge Invokes Constitution In Defeat For ICE
• Newton Judge Pleads Not Guilty, Accused Of Letting Man Escape ICE (Read the full indictment here)

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).

- Some Associated Press material was used in this report.