Here are five things to know about the judge’s decision.
1. Judge Mark Jebson agreed to release Lukasz Niec, MD, Thursday on $10,000 bond under the condition he not consume any alcohol, and under additional conditions outlined by the U.S Department of Homeland Security.
2. ICE officials said the Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Bronson Healthcare-affiliated physician was arrested over “administrative immigration violations.” Officials said Dr. Niec came under scrutiny because of two misdemeanor convictions he received as a teenager, and “most recently came under agency scrutiny as a result of 18 encounters with local law enforcement.” The encounters included incidents of driving while intoxicated, various traffic violations and child abuse allegations.
3. Mr. Jebson addressed Dr. Niec’s previous criminal history during in his ruling, stating, “[The] fact that you haven’t had encounters since [1992] shows me you have control. Evidence shows you haven’t been arrested for drunk driving since then.” The judge also ruled Dr. Niec will not be required to wear an ankle monitor, as neither attorney indicated any concerns Dr. Niec was a flight risk, according to the report.
4. The judge also noted if Dr. Niec did not appear at his next immigration court hearing, he would be deported unless he could prove extreme circumstances prevented him from attending the hearing, the report states.
5. Bronson Healthcare declined to comment to Becker’s Hospital Review Thursday on Dr. Niec’s release
To read the full report, click here.
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