Describing the situation as a “terrible outcome,” State’s Attorney Ivan Bates complained about what he termed “the overzealous actions of ICE.” In a statement to Baltimore Witness, Bates said that an attempted murder victim was deported before he could complete a “U Visa,” which would allow him to stay in the U.S. temporarily to help law enforcement prosecute a crime.
Thus, said Bates, “our victim has been revictimized.” Emphasizing the State’s Attorney’s office does not coordinate with ICE, Bates said there are consequences for what happened. “Unfortunately, an individual whom we view as a violent offender will be released back into our community,” said Bates.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has been the object of intense criticism by many lawmakers and civil liberties groups for actions they say have resulted in unwarranted arrests and deportations.
Baltimore Witnes reached out to ICE for comment but the agency has yet to respond.
Meanwhile, a prosecutor acknowledged in a Nov. 6 hearing that “unfortunately” one of the victims in the case was deported before trial. The case was presented in reception court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland.
Jabari Kylin Bookman, 22, is charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment and related offenses in a 15 count indictment in connection to an incident on May 1.
According to a police report, around midnight a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officer responded to a reported shooting on the 600 block of North Curley Street.
During the investigation, the officer encountered a victim who was headed home when three masked Black men confronted him demanding his scooter and cellphone. While the suspects were attempting to start the scooter, a friend of the victim’s appeared and the suspects attempted to take his cellphone but the friend resisted. That’s when he was shot in the thigh and the suspects fled on the scooter.
Police followed up by interviewing witnesses who said they saw the trio head toward Monument Street. Using “pings” from a victim’s cellphone officers were able to track down the stolen scooter. Surveillance footage from CitiWatch cameras captured images of the three suspects.
On May 15, a detective allegedly recognized one of the thieves as Bookman based on a previous traffic violation and several court appearances.
During the hearing, the prosecutor admitted some of the charges may not stand because of the deportation.
Judge Copeland wanted to know if there was a pending plea offer.
“This has to be fleshed out,” said the judge, noting the crime occurred in May and the indictment was presented in August. The Hicks’ speedy trial deadline is March 3, 2027.
The prosecutor made an impromptu offer of 40 years suspend all but 20 and five years supervised probation. However, he said that based on his conversations with defense attorney Maureen O’Leary the offer would be rejected.
Assuming the prosecution continues, the Judge set a trial date. of Jan. 13, 2027.
