DOJ Corrects Media on Judge's Knowledge of Homicide Warrant

On May 1, 2026, First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda stated that U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose of Rhode Island released Bryan Rafael Gomez pursuant to a habeas petition without knowledge of an arrest warrant issued by Dominican Republic authorities for a homicide in that country, contradicting reports in local and national media.

This correction addresses inaccuracies in coverage of a single federal court case involving Gomez, who sought release through habeas proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. The statement specifies that the erroneous media accounts pertained to one individual's release decision, impacting public understanding of judicial actions in that specific matter.

Prior to the DOJ statement, media reports indicated that Judge DuBose made her release decision with awareness of the foreign homicide warrant. The new state, as clarified in the May 1, 2026, release, confirms she did not have that knowledge, with the change effective immediately upon publication of the statement.

The clarification requires media outlets to update their reporting to reflect the accurate sequence of events, per the DOJ's attribution. It also preserves the judicial record for any potential appeals or related proceedings in the District of Rhode Island, where habeas decisions can trigger further federal oversight.

Additionally, it prompts review of information-sharing protocols between U.S. authorities and foreign jurisdictions in extradition-related cases.

The statement responds to media reports published the day before, on April 30, 2026. Judge DuBose's ruling occurred in the context of ongoing federal habeas petitions, which handle claims of unlawful detention under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and related statutes.