Guatemalan Man Accused of Child Rape Taken Into Federal Custody After Local Police Release
Great Barrington, MA — A 21-year-old Guatemalan man, Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz, has been taken into federal custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a controversial release by local police after his initial arrest on serious charges. In February, De Paz-Munoz was charged with rape of a child by force, rape of a child, and indecent assault and battery against a person aged 14 or older.
According to ICE, they had requested that Great Barrington police detain De Paz-Munoz following his arrest, but instead, he was released on bail while awaiting trial in Berkshire Superior Court. Patricia H. Hyde, acting field office director of ICE’s Boston unit, criticized the local police for what she described as an oversight, emphasizing the potential danger posed by De Paz-Munoz to the community.
Hyde asserted, “Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz stands accused of horrifically victimizing a Massachusetts child and represents a significant threat to our neighborhoods.” She highlighted the agency’s commitment to public safety, stressing the urgency of removing individuals who pose serious threats to communities, especially children.
De Paz-Munoz entered the U.S. unlawfully in September 2020 and had been issued a notice to appear before an immigration review judge following his apprehension by Border Patrol. The agency lodged an immigration detainer with Great Barrington police, which would have allowed ICE to take custody before his release.
As the situation evolves, the Great Barrington Police Department has yet to comment on the matter. ICE continues to prioritize the removal of noncitizen individuals who undermine community safety, reiterating its mission to protect U.S. neighborhoods.
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