Brendan John Geier, 26, of Madison, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with assaulting federal officers and causing bodily injury during a May 28 demonstration outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, according to a DOJ press release.
Geier appeared in federal court following his arrest. Prosecutors said he ignored repeated commands from federal officers to clear a roadway leading to the facility and instead struggled physically with officers assigned to crowd control and perimeter security.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Geier "savagely bit" an ICE officer, warning that anyone who assaults law enforcement officers will face prosecution.
Around 10:30 p.m., a group of demonstrators had blocked a road used by vehicles entering and leaving the detention facility, according to the DOJ.
“The deportation officers issued commands to the demonstrators to 'move back,' but the demonstrators, including Geier, ignored those commands and refused to clear the road,” stated the press release.
“Geier instead engaged in a struggle with deportation officers, kicking officers and ultimately biting an officer’s forearm, and another’s knuckle. Both victims received treatment at a local hospital,” it added.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that “peaceful protest doesn’t translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers.”
“We will not tolerate the vicious attacks we have seen in Newark the last few days, and we will make arrests and hold people accountable for criminal conduct,” Blanche said.
Spiros Karabinas, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, said that "peaceful protest does not mean biting, kicking or punching law enforcement officers."
"The repeated assaults on federal officers at Delaney Hall are criminal acts—not protected speech," he added.
The charge for assault resulting in bodily injury carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, says the DOJ.
Previous Charges
Geier also faced child pornography charges in Pennsylvania while attending Kutztown University.Detectives later traced the activity to an internet protocol address and electronic devices associated with Geier.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Geier's university residence hall room in November 2018, seizing a laptop and an iPhone. Investigators reported finding suspected child pornography images on the devices.
Second-degree felony charges of dissemination and possession of child pornography were filed against Geier in March 2019, court records show. He was released on $25,000 bail.
Court records show Geier pleaded guilty in 2021 to a reduced third-degree felony charge of criminal use of a communication facility. He was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to undergo a sex-offender evaluation and treatment. The sentencing order also prohibited Geier from contacting anyone younger than 18.