ICE arrests illegal Guatemalan alien charged with sex crime against Massachusetts child

WORCESTER, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal Guatemalan alien charged with sex crimes against a Massachusetts minor. Officers with ICE Boston took custody of Juan Rene Barcenes-Velasquez, 56, when officers from the Worcester District Court turned him over to ICE March 31.

“Juan Rene Barcenes-Velasquez illegally entered the United States and unlawfully settled in Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Now he has apparently repeatedly victimized a child, doing unthinkable damage to her. Barcenes-Velasquez represents a significant threat to our community that ICE Boston will not tolerate. We will continue to prioritize the safety of New England by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders.”

Barcenes-Velasquez illegally entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

The Worcester District Court arraigned Barcenes-Velasquez May 27, 2003, for abuse of a prevention order. The court convicted Barcenes-Velasquez of that crime and placed him on probation.

On March 31, the Worcester District Court arraigned Barcenes-Velasquez for five counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years of age. Later that day, ICE Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Barcenes-Velasquez with the Worcester District Court, which the court honored.

“We are happy that our law enforcement partners opted to honor our immigration detainer against Barcenes-Velasquez,” Hyde said. “It is refreshing that our partners in Worcester placed a priority on public safety. The alternative would be for ICE to send a team of officers to make an at-large arrest potentially placing the officers, the offender — and most importantly, the community — in harm’s way.”

Upon the transfer of custody, ICE Boston arrested and served Barcenes-Velasquez a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge. Barcenes-Velasquez remains in ICE custody.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBoston.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)