MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County man was arrested last week after biting and kicking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a protest, authorities said.
Brendan John Geier, 26, of Madison, was charged with assaulting federal officers and causing bodily injury after an incident in Newark on Friday, according to officials
Delaney Hall, the immigration detention facility in Newark, has been the center of harsh criticism from protestors, who cite unsanitary conditions and unfair treatment within the facility.
Thousands of people have made their way to Newark to oppose the facility and the federal entity, while others have shown up to express support.
More: Trump Supporters, Proud Boys Crash Anti-ICE Protest In New Jersey
Several clashes over the last few days have resulted in dozens of arrests.
Geier was one of 21 people who were arrested outside the facility between May 26 and May 29, according to the federal government.
Officials said Thursday, around 10:30 p.m, ICE officers were "engaged in official duties relating to security and crowd-control operations" during the demonstration.
Authorities said that a group of protestors, which included Geier, blocked a roadway that was used to travel in and out of Delaney Hall.
ICE officers formed into a line and began to move towards the group of demonstrators while ordering the crowd to disperse, officials said. The crowd, which featured Geier, did not comply, authorities added.
Soon, an ICE officer "moved in Geier’s direction, which caused Geier to lose his balance," officials said. It was then that Geier kicked the officer in the leg, according to the Department of Justice.
The ICE officer then struck Geier in the leg with a baton before two other officers lifted him up to remove him from the area, officials said.
It was while ICE officers were forcibly carrying Geier away that he bit one on the arm, and the other on the knuckle, according to the federal government.
All three were treated by on-site EMTs, and the ICE officers were later treated in a hospital. After being processed, Geier was released with location monitoring and a curfew. He is also not allowed to return to Delaney Hall.
“As alleged, this defendant responded to lawful orders from federal officers by kicking one and biting two others who were performing their official duties," said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer. "Assaulting law enforcement officers is unacceptable. Period. Federal officers must be able to carry out their responsibilities without being subjected to violence, intimidation, or obstruction. This Office will continue to prosecute those who, as alleged here, assault officers and interfere with the lawful execution of their duties.”
More:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Morristown, NJ Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.