77 Arrested In More Than 15 NJ Towns In Big Statewide ICE Bust – Toms River, NJ Patch

NEW JERSEY – Nearly 80 people were arrested in a big statewide ICE bust this past month that involved more than 15 towns in 16 New Jersey counties, targeting those with arrests or convictions for homicide, sex assault, domestic violence or other crimes.

Those arrested range from age 19 to 63 years old and most were previously convicted of violent offenses, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

Some of the convictions included homicide, sexual assault on a minor, criminal sexual contact, child fondling, possession of marijuana, DUI, fraud, possession of a weapon, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, larceny, rioting, public order crimes, robbery, burglary and illegal reentry, according to an ICE release.

Those arrested also included a Peruvian national who was in the country illegally and has an Interpol warrant for aggravated robbery, according to ICE.

Overall, 77 foreign nationals arrested during recent enforcement actions conducted by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in New Jersey from July 22 to August 20, according to an ICE release.

Data captured from July 13 to Aug. 20 show that ICE officers arrested people who were living illegally in the United States or had criminal histories, according to the release.

About 85 percent of those arrested nationally by ICE on immigration charges also have had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, according to the release.

“The remarkable results of our officers and law enforcement partners highlight ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark. “This enforcement action focused on targeting individuals who have been arrested or convicted of crimes involving victims as well as those who pose a risk to public safety.

“Because of the targeted efforts of these professional officers, there are fewer criminals in our communities.”

The suspects will go through removal proceedings before an immigration judge, the release said. For those under a final order of removal, arrangements will be made to remove them from the United States.

The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Brazil (1), China (1), Colombia (2), Costa Rica (1), Dominican Republic (6), Ecuador (5), El Salvador (7), Guatemala (12), Guyana (1), Haiti (2), Honduras (8), India (1), Jamaica (1), Mexico (22), Nicaragua (1), Peru (2), Trinidad (1), United Kingdom (2), and Venezuela (1).

These individuals were arrested in the following counties in New Jersey: Atlantic (1), Bergen (7), Burlington (8), Camden (3), Cumberland (3), Essex (5), Hudson (3), Mercer (7), Middlesex (6), Monmouth (6), Morris (1), Ocean (6), Passaic (7), Somerset (3), Union (10), and Warren (1).

ICE says among those arrested during this targeted enforcement action include:

  • In Newark, a 30-year-old Guatemalan national who has an arrest warrant in Guatemala for the offenses of homicide and aggravated robbery.
  • In Rockaway, a 31-year-old Belize national who is the subject of a warrant in Texas for the offense of aggravated sexual assault of a minor;
  • In Hackensack, a 29-year-old Indian national who has a conviction for criminal sexual contact;
  • In Hackensack, a 32-year-old Dominican national who has a conviction for the offense of child fondling;
  • In Plainfield, a 61-year-old previously deported Mexican national who has a conviction for fraud by wire;
  • In Newark, a 48-year-old Guyanese national who has who has a conviction for the offense of child fondling
  • In Paterson, a 36-year-old Dominican national who has a conviction for the offense of larceny;
  • In Carteret, a 40-year-old previously deported El Salvadorian who has a conviction for the offense of burglary;
  • In Guttenberg, a 51-year-old Venezuelan national who has a conviction for the offense larceny;
  • In Toms River, a 29-year-old United Kingdom national who has a conviction for the possession of a weapon;
  • In Trenton, a 35-year-old Guatemalan national who has a conviction for driving under the influence;
  • In Clifton, a 44-year-old Dominican national who has a conviction for domestic violence;
  • In Brick, a 32-year-old- Mexican national who has a conviction for domestic violence;
  • In Camden, a 43-year-old- Mexican national who has a conviction for domestic violence;
  • In Mt. Laurel, a 38-year-old- Columbian national who has a conviction for fraud and illegal use of credit cards;
  • In Lakewood, a 23-year-old Mexican national who is a member of the La Gran Familia Mexicana gang;
  • In Newark, a 34-year-old Chinese national was charged with money laundering;
  • In Mt. Laurel, a 28-year-old El Salvadorian national who was charged with child neglect.

ICE says it’s continuing to target “criminal aliens and other public safety and national security threats every day.” ICE says it does not exempt classes or categories of people from potential enforcement.

All those in violation of immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, the release said.

ICE says it takes many factors into account when targeting and arresting individuals, including their criminal and immigration history.

Victims of crime committed by people with a nexus to immigration are encouraged to contact ICE’s VOICE office if they need assistance, the release said. The VOICE office affords victims and their loved ones a single point of contact to obtain information, including the ability to get automated custody status information, releasable case history about a person, or having an ICE representative explain the immigration enforcement and removal process.

The toll-free VOICE Hotline number is 1-855-48-VOICE.