Colombian National Indicted for Assaulting Ice Deportation Officer

NEWARK, N.J. – A Colombian national was indicted for assaulting a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Hector Villegas-Alvarez, 27, of Colombia, is charged with one count of assaulting a federal officer. Villegas Alvarez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court last week and was detained.

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

On February 23, 2025, ICE deportation officers identified Villegas Alvarez as an individual without legal immigration status to be deported from the United States. ICE deportation officers stopped Villegas Alvarez and attempted to arrest him. Villegas Alvarez, however, physically resisted arrest and, in the process, forcefully elbowed one of the ICE deportation officers in the face.  As a result of Villegas Alvarez’s assault, the victim deportation officer sustained bodily injury, including a broken nose and a concussion from which she suffers severe post-concussion symptoms, including fainting and difficulty breathing.

“These charges reaffirm our commitment to protect the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line for the people of New Jersey every day.  Those who choose to attack and assault law enforcement will continue to be met with swift and severe punishment.”

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

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

U.S. Attorney Habba credited deportation officers of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark, under the direction of Field Office Director John Tsoukaris, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney George L. Brandley of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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:  K. Anthony Thomas, Esq., Federal Public Defender