GIBBSBORO, NJ — A 27-year-old man was arrested after he attacked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers with a hammer, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
Reinieri De Jesus Licona Amador, of Honduras, was charged with assaulting federal officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon.
On Oct. 4, ICE was carrying out a targeted operation in Gibbsboro to find and arrest "illegal aliens," according to federal officials.
During a plate reader review, a truck that was being driven nearby was matched to Licona Amador.
After an immigration records search, it was determined that he was in the country illegally.
ICE agents matched the photo in his immigration file with the driver and activated their emergency lights to pull him over.
After Licona Amador stopped the truck on the side of the road, agents approached him with "ICE" and "POLICE" displayed on their uniforms and with their badges out as he was sitting in the driver's seat, authorities said.
Licona Amador then moved to reach into a tool container in the back seat and got a hammer, authorities said.
He then ignored their orders to stop moving and pulled away from the officers as they opened the driver's side door.
As they tried to remove him, he moved to the passenger side with the hammer.
He again ignored orders from officers as they tried to restrain and detain him, officials said.
Licona Amador was able to free himself from the truck while still holding the hammer.
He then climbed on top of the passenger door and swung the tool multiple times at two ICE agents.
The officers used OC spray to limit his movements and were able to take him to the ground and arrest him without injury.
"Federal law enforcement officers are confronting an alarming surge in attacks, including more than a 1,600% increase in assaults, a 3,300% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats," Michael S. McCarthy with the Department of Homeland Security said, though the time period was not specified.
Licona Amador faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000.
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