Immigration officials criticized local law enforcement for ignoring detainer requests after an illegal immigrant, Warley Neto, charged with child rape, was released from prison. Neto, 24, from Brazil, was indicted on five counts of child rape and five counts of enticing a minor under 16.
Neto entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and was ordered to appear before an immigration judge, but instead was arrested five years later for strangulation, assault, and threats. He served only 90 days of a one-year sentence before his release. Months later, he was arrested again for the child rape charges. Due to the victim’s age, limited details have been made public.
ICE acknowledged cooperation from local law enforcement in this case. Todd M. Lyons, director of ICE’s Boston office, described Neto as a serious threat to community safety.
Martha’s Vineyard, known for the 2022 migrant relocation initiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, remains a focal point for immigration enforcement. It is unclear if Neto was part of the group of asylum-seekers sent to the island.
Lyons commended the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office for cooperating in Neto’s transfer, contrasting it with jurisdictions that refuse to honor detainers, allowing offenders to reoffend. ICE Boston remains committed to targeting high-risk noncitizen offenders in New England.
