Bulgarian National Arrested for Assaulting ICE Deportation Officer

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bulgarian national was arrested for assaulting a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Vasil Petrov, 40, of Bulgaria, is charged by complaint with one count of assaulting a federal officer. Petrov appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel in Newark federal court and was detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Dec. 27, 2023, Petrov was in the lawful custody of ICE officers at an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, pending removal from the United States. While being processed for removal, Petrov, without provocation, struck the victim deportation officer in the chin with a closed fist. As a result of Petrov’s assault, the victim deportation officer sustained bodily injury, including a laceration on his chin.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Y. Zuckier of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: David Holman Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark