Judge Faces Allegations of Assisting Migrant in Evading Federal Agents
A Democratic judge in New York City has been accused of permitting a migrant with a history of serious criminal arrests, including attempted rape, to leave a courthouse through a rear exit to avoid apprehension by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, has ignited controversy and raised questions about judicial conduct in sanctuary cities.
Details of the Courthouse Incident
Gerardo Miguel Mora, a 45-year-old individual whose country of origin remains unspecified, was actively sought by federal authorities due to an outstanding criminal arrest warrant. According to court records obtained by the New York Post, Mora was arrested earlier that day on charges of shoplifting and possession of stolen property after allegedly stealing merchandise valued at $130 from an H&M store in Midtown Manhattan.
He was subsequently brought before Manhattan's criminal court, where Judge Sheridan Jack-Browne, who secured her position through a special election in Brooklyn last year, was presiding over the minor charge. Instead of facilitating his transfer to ICE, sources reportedly informed the Post that Judge Jack-Browne allowed Mora to discreetly exit via a back door, potentially enabling him to evade agents stationed outside the courthouse.
Law Enforcement Response and Pursuit
A law enforcement source stated to the outlet, 'They refused to hand him over. They let him out the back to avoid ICE.' Following his departure, ICE agents pursued Mora through the streets, ultimately apprehending him and placing him into federal custody. The Department of Justice (DOJ) now oversees the subsequent legal proceedings, which may involve prosecution, deportation, or both.
Mora's Extensive Criminal History
Mora has been under law enforcement scrutiny since 2011, when he was arrested for allegedly attempting to rape and strangle a 21-year-old woman in midtown Manhattan. According to police sources, he followed the victim home, choked her, and attempted to remove her clothing before a bystander intervened and detained him until authorities arrived.
After this violent incident, Mora seemingly vanished from law enforcement radar for approximately twelve years, with assumptions that he had been deported. However, he reappeared in the United States following an arrest for using falsified identification. Last month, he was again taken into custody on the Upper West Side for alleged possession of crack cocaine, a case that is still pending in court.
Federal Warrant and Legal Context
Federal authorities had been searching for Mora under a criminal arrest warrant related to the 'reentry of removed aliens,' a felony charge under U.S. code that criminalizes returning to the country after deportation. Sources indicated that this warrant was present in the courtroom, placed in a folder on the bench for Judge Jack-Browne's review, yet she allegedly permitted Mora to leave in a manner that could have avoided detection.
Broader Implications and Sanctuary City Policies
The incident has provoked significant anger among federal agents, particularly given New York City's status as a sanctuary city, where local authorities typically do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. In rare instances, federal authorities have pursued legal action against judges suspected of obstructing ICE operations, highlighting the tensions between local and federal jurisdictions.
As the DOJ assumes control over Mora's case, this event underscores ongoing debates about immigration enforcement, judicial accountability, and the complexities of sanctuary policies in urban centres.
