U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to remove a Massachusetts high school teacher facing child rape charges after filing an immigration detainer. Patrick Akpore Nsumei, 54, is charged with aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child with force, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. ICE requested the detainer from the Lowell Police Department on July 22.
A detainer is a federal request for local law enforcement to notify ICE before releasing an individual or to hold the person so ICE can take custody. ‘ICE will assume custody pending his criminal proceedings with the state,’ an ICE spokesperson told Newsweek.
‘Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S. ICE is removing these violent, dangerous offenders from our communities,’ added the spokesperson. Newsweek contacted Boston Public Schools and Nsumei’s attorney for comment.
Nsumei remains held without bail at Billerica House of Correction. On July 31, Lowell District Court Judge John Coffey deemed him a public safety threat, ordering him held for up to 120 days while the case proceeds.
Prosecutor Sheehan McCarthy revealed that the alleged victim reported the abuse to the Lowell police on June 27. The abuse allegedly occurred between 2017 and 2021. McCarthy argued Nsumei poses a community threat.
Nsumei’s lawyer, Thomas Mixon, disputed the claims, stating there is no physical evidence, according to The Boston Herald. Nsumei was a science teacher at a Boston public high school, but his details are now removed from the school’s staff webpage.
The allegations exclude any Boston Public Schools student involvement, nor is the alleged victim linked to the district. The district has not clarified Nsumei’s employment status.
The aggravated rape of a child charge could lead to life in prison, with parole eligibility after 10 years. Nsumei has a probable cause hearing on September 1.
ICE has highlighted ongoing enforcement efforts focused on migrants involved in serious violent and sexual allegations, aligning with the Trump administration’s deportation program.