Federal authorities arrested two individuals following violent confrontations outside a Newark ICE facility this week, including one man caught on video threatening to murder an agent’s entire family and another who bit and kicked federal officers during riots protesting immigration enforcement operations.

Death Threats Caught on Camera

Nicholas Scelfo faces felony charges after video footage captured him screaming death threats at an ICE agent outside Newark’s Delaney Hall detention facility. In the recording, Scelfo threatened the agent’s wife and children, claiming he had memorized the officer’s face. Acting Attorney General Blanche announced the arrest within 24 hours of identifying the suspect, stating federal authorities would not tolerate threats against law enforcement families. The Department of Justice had publicly vowed to track down and prosecute the individual after the video circulated widely on social media platforms.

Scelfo’s arrest came as anti-ICE demonstrators occupied the Newark facility, establishing barricades to prevent vehicles from leaving the compound. The protests erupted in response to federal immigration enforcement operations targeting individuals with criminal records. Multiple confrontations between protesters and federal agents escalated throughout the week, resulting in injuries to law enforcement personnel and property damage to the federal facility.

Second Arrest for Assaulting Officers

Brendan John Geier was charged with assaulting federal officers after allegedly kicking and biting ICE agents during the same protests. Photographs released by the Department of Justice show significant injuries to the agents, including bite marks and lacerations requiring medical attention. Geier’s arrest demonstrates the violent nature of the demonstrations, which officials characterized as riots rather than peaceful protests. The Acting Attorney General emphasized that anyone assaulting federal officers would face prosecution and accountability for their actions against law enforcement personnel.

Federal Response to Riots

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement pledging full support for law enforcement officers working immigration enforcement operations. Federal authorities characterized the Newark incidents as part of a broader pattern of violent resistance to immigration enforcement efforts. The Trump Administration committed to prosecuting individuals who threaten or assault federal agents, emphasizing that such attacks constitute serious federal crimes carrying substantial penalties. Earlier in the week, two other individuals were arrested for attacking agents with chemical substances near the same facility, bringing the total arrests to four suspects facing federal charges.