By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 3, 2026 at 6:15 AM
In a recent development, a pastor from Bristol County has been charged with serious criminal offenses, including aggravated rape, witness intimidation, and indecent assault and battery. Pastor Elmer Perez, 49, of the Iglesia De Jesucristo Church in New Bedford, was apprehended by Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston on August 15th in North Dartmouth.
Acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde of ERO Boston emphasized the severity of the charges, highlighting that Perez allegedly committed these crimes within the Massachusetts community. Perez, who entered the United States unlawfully, has been identified as a significant threat to public safety. The ERO Boston remains committed to ensuring the safety of New England neighborhoods by apprehending and removing noncitizen offenders.
Perez’s unlawful entry into the United States occurred at an unspecified date and location, bypassing any official inspection or admission by U.S. immigration authorities. Following the charges, an immigration detainer was placed on Perez by ERO Boston on December 20, 2019, with the Bristol County Superior Court. He was subsequently arraigned on February 21, 2020, facing multiple charges including aggravated rape, rape, intimidation of a witness, and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age. The alleged victim in these charges is a female parishioner.
Upon his release from the Bristol Superior Court detention facility on August 15, authorities transferred Perez into the custody of ERO Boston deportation officers, where he remains. As this case unfolds, it underscores the importance of accountability and justice within our communities. In the spirit of Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and humility, it is crucial to ensure that those in positions of trust uphold the highest standards of conduct. This case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and the protection of the vulnerable, aligning with the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
Source: Read the original report
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