A young Brazilian boy, reportedly entangled in a life of crime and alleged gang affiliations, recently found himself in the spotlight during an immigration hearing. In a poignant moment, he expressed remorse for his actions and sought the court’s forgiveness. However, despite his plea, the judge ultimately denied him bond.

Identified only as a resident of Everett, the boy appeared in the hearing via a virtual link from Virginia’s Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where he has been in custody since his arrest on October 9th.

During the proceedings, federal prosecutors presented a strong case against his release, citing concerns for public safety and the risk of him fleeing. The Boston Globe, which had the opportunity to speak with the boy’s attorney, reported these developments in detail.

Andrew Lattarulo, the boy’s attorney, conveyed a mixed sentiment to the newspaper. “I don’t think he’s good. He’s as good as he can be,” Lattarulo stated. “When I talked to him, I could tell he’s trying to find strength in his voice, but you still hear the 13-year-old child.”

The case underscores the complex tapestry of youth crime and immigration, as well as the delicate balance courts must maintain while considering the future of young lives veering off track.

He said the child and his family have a pending asylum case. The teen and his family allegedly entered the US illegally in 2021. Lattarulo noted that self-deportation for the child and family was a possibility, the newspaper reported.

The boy was taken into custody after authorities received a tip about a violent threat against another student, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria told reporters. DeMaria said the teen had a long knife on him when he was arrested but no gun, which contradicts an earlier claim from the Department of Homeland Security.

A Brazilian teenage boy who lived in Massachusetts was denied release after federal prosecutors cited his alleged gang ties during immigration proceedings last week. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The Department of Homeland Security alleged the boy has ties to a Brazilian criminal ring known as “Gang 33” and “posed a public safety threat with an extensive rap sheet,” the Globe reported. DeMaria said the teen “has a criminal history, a criminal past” and is “well known” to local law enforcement, according to Boston.com.

DeMaria also denied claims that the city summoned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to the police station following the boy’s arrest.

However, Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights has called for an independent state probe into the Everett Police Department’s role in the matter.

Fox News Digital has reached out to DHS and Lattarulo.