US Drops Charges against Judge Who Allegedly Helped Illegal Immigrant Avoid Capture

A Massachusetts judge who allegedly helped illegal immigrants avoid capture by federal immigration officers will no longer be prosecuted, a U.S. attorney announced this week.

“This case is about the conduct of a sitting state court judge, on the bench, in the course of her judicial duties. Its purpose has been to shed light on, and, as warranted, to secure accountability for that conduct,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Zachary Cunha, a Biden appointee, said in a statement.

“After I was assigned to oversee this matter, I undertook a full and comprehensive review of the evidence, the applicable law, and relevant equitable and prudential factors. Having done so, I have concluded that the interests of justice are best served by review of this matter before the body that oversees the conduct of Massachusetts state court judges, rather than in a continued federal criminal prosecution,” he added.

Cunha dropped charges against Massachusetts state District Court Judge Shelley Richmond Joseph, who had been charged with obstruction of justice.