Earlier today, the U.S. Marshals Service, along with several Massachusetts law enforcement agencies, apprehended 37-year-old Webster Portalatin-Castro, a Cleveland fugitive wanted for the alleged rape of a minor. A multi-agency task force, which included the Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force and state and local police, located Portalatin-Castro at an address in Lawrence, MA, a city roughly 30 miles from Boston. Details of the early morning arrest were released in a U.S. Marshals Service press release.
According to investigations by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, Portalatin-Castro, who was facing a warrant issued on June 3, from the Cleveland Municipal Court, was believed to quickly have fled the Cleveland area after the warrant was issued. His whereabouts remained elusive until this morning’s successful operation. Portalatin-Castro is now being charged as a fugitive from justice and is awaiting extradition proceedings in Massachusetts.
As the case unfolded, the U.S. Marshals collaborated with the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, Lawrence PD, Lowell PD, and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office to track down Portalatin-Castro. The arrest took place without incident in the 700 block of Haverhill St. in Lawrence. This cooperative effort underscores the extensive reach and coordination of law enforcement agencies when pursuing individuals charged with severe crimes.
The arrest also brings to light Portalatin-Castro’s immigration status. ICE has revealed that Portalatin-Castro is currently unlawfully present in the United States, allegedly entering the country illegally in 2023. U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott emphasized the commitment of the service to pursue and apprehend suspects, stating, "The U.S. Marshals Service will track down violent sexual predators such as this whether they are in the city of Cleveland or have fled across the country. There is nowhere for them to hide when the Marshals are looking for them." This quote was directly obtained from the press release.
Portalatin-Castro's arraignment details and subsequent legal proceedings will be followed closely as this case continues to develop. The matter also serves as a stark reminder of the intersecting challenges of law enforcement, immigration, and the legal orchestration necessary to administrate justice across state and federal lines.
