Bryan Rafael Gomez, 27, an international homicide suspect whose release from federal custody triggered a national controversy over judicial safety, is now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention following his arrest on assault charges in Massachusetts, according to court records filed Thursday.
Background
The case traces back to late April when U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose for the District of Rhode Island granted Gomez's habeas corpus petition and ordered his release from custody pending a bond hearing. At the time, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Bolan did not disclose that Gomez was wanted in the Dominican Republic in connection with an alleged homicide.
Judge DuBose, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, evaluated Gomez based on his criminal history as known to her and granted his release. Shortly afterward, the Department of Homeland Security issued a press release accusing DuBose of knowingly releasing an international homicide suspect, calling her an "activist judge" in a post that remained online for months despite efforts to have it removed.
The controversy escalated when Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. appointed Roger Williams University School of Law Professor Niki Kuckes as special counsel to investigate "possible misconduct" and "lack of candor" with the court by government attorneys.
The Investigation
During a subsequent show-cause hearing, Bolan told DuBose he "sincerely" apologized for the "consequences" of his "lack of disclosure," claiming he was following ICE's guidance that he was not permitted to disclose Gomez's wanted status. However, records later revealed that ICE had publicly disclosed the same information on April 16, 2026.
Chief Judge McConnell in June affirmed that DuBose appropriately ordered Gomez's release based on incomplete evidence presented to her by government attorneys. "Unfortunately, the consequences that followed were grave for this Court and for the federal justice system," McConnell wrote at the time, condemning ICE's "false public statement" which put DuBose "in personal danger and undermined public faith in the federal courts."
McConnell characterized Bolan's omission as the "equivalent of making an affirmative false statement" but declined to impose sanctions.
The Charges
Thursday's filing, submitted by Bolan and Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, revealed that Gomez was arrested Thursday on an April 4 warrant issued in Worcester, Massachusetts for misdemeanor assault and battery on a family or household member, reportedly involving an ex-girlfriend.
According to the status report, Gomez now has a final order of removal and is within the 90-day window during which the government is obligated to detain him. The filing stated he "is not entitled to a bond hearing" while in ICE custody and asked DuBose to dismiss the habeas petition.
Key Takeaways
- Bryan Rafael Gomez was wanted by authorities in the Dominican Republic for an alleged homicide when Judge Melissa DuBose ordered his release from federal custody in April 2026
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Bolan faced a show-cause hearing for failing to disclose Gomez's international warrant during bond proceedings
- ICE publicly attacked DuBose as an "activist judge" while withholding critical information from her court, prompting concerns about her personal safety
- Special counsel was appointed to investigate potential government misconduct and lack of candor with the judiciary
- Gomez is now detained by ICE following his arrest on assault charges in Massachusetts, where he remains within his removal window
What's Next
The government's filing requests that DuBose dismiss Gomez's habeas corpus petition and enter judgment for the administration. The case raises ongoing questions about information sharing between federal agencies and the courts, particularly regarding international fugitives and immigration detainees with pending criminal matters.
Investigators have not disclosed whether the Dominican Republic has formally requested Gomez's extradition, or what timeline exists for any potential removal proceedings.