ICE Seeks Removal of Massachusetts Teacher Facing Child Rape Charges

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to seek the removal of a Massachusetts high school teacher facing multiple child rape charges. ICE lodged an immigration detainer after the teacher’s arrest.

ICE filed this detainer request with the Lowell Police Department on July 22 for Patrick Akpore Nsumei, age 54. He faces charges including aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child with force, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

A detainer is a request by federal immigration authorities that a local law enforcement agency notify ICE before releasing a person from custody or hold the person for a limited period so ICE can take custody.

An ICE spokesperson stated, “ICE will assume custody pending his criminal proceedings with the state.” They further emphasized that under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S. ICE is working to remove violent offenders from communities.

Nsumei is currently held without bail at the Billerica House of Correction. Lowell District Court Judge John Coffey, during a July 31 hearing, ruled that Nsumei posed a threat to public safety. He ordered that Nsumei be held for up to 120 days while the criminal case proceeds.

Prosecutor Sheehan McCarthy informed the court that the alleged abuse was reported to Lowell police on June 27. Prosecutors allege the abuse occurred repeatedly between 2017 and 2021 and argued Nsumei is a danger to the community.

Nsumei’s attorney, Thomas Mixon, contested the allegations, arguing there was no physical evidence supporting them, according to The Boston Herald.

Nsumei worked as a science teacher at a Boston public high school, as reported by The Boston Herald. Yet, his name and photograph no longer appear on the school’s staff webpage. The allegations do not involve a Boston Public Schools student, with the alleged victim not connected to the district.

The school district hasn’t declared whether Nsumei remains employed or is on leave. The charge of aggravated rape of a child carries a potential life sentence, with parole eligibility after 10 years. Nsumei is due back in court September 1 for a probable cause hearing.

ICE continues to focus on arrests, convictions, and criminal allegations involving migrants, citing serious cases as part of their public safety mission. They highlight cases involving violent and sexual crime allegations as key enforcement focuses.

For further information, Newsweek editors Matthew Robinson and Robert Greenall can be contacted.