The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court formally reprimanded Judge Shelley Joseph on September 10, 2026, after finding that she “created an appearance of impropriety in violation of her duties” during a 2018 proceeding involving Oscar Manuel Peguero, also known as Jose Medina-Perez. The finding concerned Joseph’s order directing a court clerk to turn off the courtroom’s audio recording systems during the proceeding.
The Department of Homeland Security condemned Joseph in a statement released September 14, alleging that she allowed Peguero to leave through a back courtroom exit while a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer waited outside to arrest him. DHS said the route enabled Peguero to evade ICE custody after an immigration detainer lodged on March 30, 2018, was not honored.
According to DHS, Peguero appeared in court on April 2, 2018, following his arrest in Newton, Massachusetts, for possession of a Class B controlled substance and possession of a Class E controlled substance. DHS also said he had an outstanding Pennsylvania warrant for being a fugitive from justice at the time. Joseph was the presiding Massachusetts State District Court judge.
Joseph was charged in 2019 with conspiracy to obstruct justice, aiding and abetting obstruction of justice, and aiding and abetting obstruction of a federal proceeding. The Biden administration dropped the charges in 2022. The source does not state that the Supreme Judicial Court’s formal reprimand concerned allowing Peguero to use the back exit; it identifies the court’s finding as relating to the order to disable the audio recording systems.
“This judicial misconduct reflects what DHS is facing across the country,” DHS General Counsel James Percival said. “Certain judges think it is their duty to undermine, rather than enforce, federal immigration law. Helping illegal aliens escape from immigration officers is a felony. Sanctuary politicians and sanctuary judges alike are on notice.”
DHS said Peguero first entered the United States through Boston Logan International Airport in January 2003 while falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and was deported on January 31, 2003. The department said he re-entered through New Mexico in April 2007, was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol and deported again on June 22, 2007. DHS further alleged that he later entered the country a third time at an unknown date and location.