Illegal Alien Assaults ICE Deportation Officers with Hammer

CAMDEN, N.J. - A Honduran national, who was present in the United States unlawfully, was arrested on October 19, 2026 and charged with assaulting federal officers, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Reinieri De Jesus Licona Amador, 27, of Honduras was charged by complaint and appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden federal court.

"Federal officers put themselves in harm's way to enforce the law and protect the public. When an individual responds to a traffic stop by attacking an officer with a hammer, that conducts threatens not only the officer's safety but the rule of law itself. We will not allow violent attacks on federal officers to go unanswered and will hold those responsible accountable under the law."

- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer

"Threats, violence, and obstruction directed at federal law enforcement officers are unacceptable and jeopardize the safety of both our personnel and the public," said Homeland Security Investigations New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy. "Licona Amador will be held accountable under federal law for allegedly defying lawful commands from ICE officers and escalating the encounter by threatening violence. 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. These acts of violence cannot be tolerated and must end."

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

On October 4, 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation and Removal Officers were conducting a targeted operation in Gibbsboro, New Jersey to identify and arrest illegal aliens. During the operation, the ICE Officers conducted a license plate check of a truck driving in the area. This check identified the registered owner of the vehicle as Licona Amador. According to a search of immigration records Licona Amador lacked lawful status in the United States and therefore was subject to removal. After confirming that the truck driver's appearance was consistent with the photo in Licona Amador's immigration file, ICE Officers activated their emergency lights to pull Licona Amador's truck over. In response, Licona Amador pulled his truck over to the side of the road and came to a complete stop.

The ICE Officers approached Licona Amador's truck and observed Licona Amador sitting in the driver's seat. The Officers were wearing vests that identified them as "ICE" and "Police" and had their badges displayed.

As the Officers arrived at the truck, they saw Licona Amador moving within the vehicle and reaching from the driver's seat into a tool container located in the back seat. The Officers saw Licona Amador retrieve a hammer from this container.

The Officers ordered Licona Amador to stop moving, but he refused to comply with this order. Officers then opened the driver's side door of the truck and attempted to physically remove Licona Amador from the vehicle. Licona Amador pulled away from the Officers and moved over to the passenger side of the truck, still holding the hammer. The Officers attempted to restrain and detain Licona Amador, and they issued commands to Licona Amador.

Licona Amador did not comply with the Officers' commands. Instead, Licona Amador climbed out of the passenger side of the truck while holding a hammer.

Once out of the truck, Licona Amador proceeded to climb on top of the passenger door and began swinging his hammer at two ICE Officers. Licona Amador swung his hammer multiple times at the Officers.

Officers deployed OC spray in an attempt to gain compliance from Licona Amador, wrestled Licona Amador to the ground, and arrested him without injury.

The charge for assault using a deadly or dangerous weapon carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Cherry Hill, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, with the investigation. He also thanked Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen of the Criminal Division in Camden.

The charges 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: Thomas Young, Esq., Federal Public Defender.