13-year-old in the US illegally denied release after alleged gang ties come to light following school threat

The unidentified boy, a resident of Everett, appeared last week at a virtual court hearing from Virginia's Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where he has been held since his Oct. 9 arrest.

"I don't think he's good. He's as good as he can be," attorney Andrew Lattarulo told the newspaper. "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 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.

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.

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.