Joel and Jessica Guerrrero (file)
NEW PALTZ – After some 12 weeks in federal detention in New Jersey,
New Paltz resident Joel Guerrero has been released.
The native of the Dominican Republic, who legally immigrated to the United
States with his family 20 years ago, was taken into custody for failing
to appear at a court date on a 10-year-old misdemeanor marijuana possession
charge.
His wife of over a year, Jessica, is expecting their first child any day
and she has been traveling down to see him on several weekends while he
was being held. The couple was hoping against all hope that he wouldn’t
be deported.
The entire New Paltz community rallied behind the couple with signs displayed
across the community and several people, from neighbors to public officials,
writing to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, asking that he be released.
On Wednesday, Jessica sent a message with four words to Mid-Hudson News:
“Joel has been released.”
