New York Courts Challenge New York Post’s Claims on Judge’s Actions

The New York City court system has issued a statement refuting allegations made in a recent article by the New York Post that a local judge facilitated the escape of a violent migrant from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The article, titled “ICE agents chase down migrant ‘sex predator’ after judge allows him to stroll out of NYC courthouse,” focused on the case of Gerardo Miguel Mora, a 45-year-old man deported in 2011 after facing accusations of rape and strangulation. Mora was arrested last month for a minor shoplifting offense, leading to the Post’s claims about Judge Sheridan Jack-Browne.

The Post reported that Judge Jack-Browne allowed Mora to leave the courtroom without any precautions, thereby prompting ICE agents to pursue him. While the article recognized that Mora could not be legally detained on bail for the shoplifting charge, it asserted that the judge should have been aware of a federal arrest warrant related to Mora’s illegal re-entry into the United States.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Unified Court System labeled several aspects of the Post’s article as factually incorrect. The spokesperson emphasized that Judge Jack-Browne was never presented with a pending warrant for Mora and adhered to legal protocols throughout the proceedings.

The statement clarified, “Judge Jack-Browne was not asked to hold him for any reason, and followed the law in every respect when handling his appearance.” It explained that Mora appeared at 100 Centre Street in response to a misdemeanor charge of petit larceny, which did not authorize the court to set bail or detain him. After a recommendation for supervised release from the prosecutor, which the defense did not contest, the court ordered Mora’s release.

Moreover, the court’s statement addressed the Post’s claim that Mora fled through a back door. It noted that Mora did not leave the courthouse until 1:47 p.m., having exited through the public exit on Baxter Street. Security footage confirmed that he exited while in handcuffs and was escorted by federal law enforcement personnel who placed him in a vehicle.

The spokesperson added that the New York Post had been notified of these inaccuracies yet chose not to amend the original article. Instead, the publication continued to stand by its claims and even released a subsequent opinion piece based on the erroneous assertions.

“UCS again contacted the Post, which has yet to provide an explanation for its insistence on standing by false information and its failure to adhere to its promise to correct its reporting,” the statement concluded. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between media reporting and judicial accountability, raising questions about the responsibilities of journalists in accurately presenting facts.