FBI Arrests Man for Threatening to Kill ICE Officer, Wife, and Children in New Jersey

Threatening to kill a federal officer is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Published: 5/30/2026, 1:18:54 AM EDT

FBI Arrests Man for Threatening to Kill ICE Officer, Wife, and Children in New Jersey — Federal agents fire less lethal munitions towards protesters outside Delaney Hall which is being used as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark, N.J., on May 29, 2026. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

A man was arrested by the FBI after threatening to kill a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer and the officer’s family outside a Newark detention facility, authorities said.

Video posted by independent journalist Nick Sortor showed escalating demonstrations outside Delaney Hall, wth protest encampments and violent confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement in recent days.

Sorotor had captured footage of the arrested man, threatening an ICE officer, saying, “I have your face, your whole family is dead." The suspect said he was going to kill the officer and his whole family. “Your wife, your children, are dead,” he threatened repeatedly.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a May 29 post that the FBI arrested the suspect who “threatened to kill ICE officers and their families.”

A day before, Blanche told Fox News that the suspect would be arrested because it was a federal crime.

Threatening to kill a federal officer is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, under 18 U.S.C. § 115. The law makes it a crime to threaten, assault, or retaliate against U.S. federal officials, including law enforcement officers, with the intent to impede or interfere with their official duties.

The statute also covers threats against family members of federal officials, such as spouses or children. Penalties carry significant fines and prison time.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also confirmed the arrest on May 29.

Mullin said, “Thank you to the FBI for arresting a rioter who threatened to kill an ICE law enforcement officer and his family outside Delaney Hall.” He said officers are facing an “8,000% increase in death threats” as they carry out enforcement operations.

He added, “President Donald Trump and I will always stand with our law enforcement.”

Violent Protests 'Grown Unsafe'

On May 28, New Jersey state police arrived to set up designated protest zones and vehicle checkpoints outside the immigration detention center, relieving federal immigration enforcement agents.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she sent in state police to bring order outside Delaney Hall as the demonstrations have intensified, with violence and arrests increasing as night falls.

“It has grown unsafe, and that’s completely unacceptable,” the Democratic governor said at a news conference announcing the new measures. “We need to take this opportunity to lower the temperature.”

As police erected protest barriers, ICE agents who had formed a line in front of protesters moved inside the building’s perimeter fence.

Sortor also captured footage on May 29 during the day, showing state police arriving and setting up barriers as demonstrators shouted at officers. Among them, a woman was heard yelling threats through a megaphone as police worked to secure the perimeter. She repeatedly shouted, saying she was going to “grab their gun” and “blow their brains out.”

In a later video from the night of May 29, Sortor showed state police issuing a 15-minute order for demonstrators to leave the area or face arrest.

Protesters were seen quickly packing tents, equipment, and supplies as officers advanced to clear the roadway. Additional videos showed late-night confrontations as some protesters stayed.

Heightened tensions have taken place outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, in recent days as demonstrators have been stationed there during recent protests tied to immigration enforcement operations and alleged detention conditions.

Earlier, on May 29, the Justice Department charged a different individual, identified as Brendan John Geier, in connection with assaults on ICE officers during the protests at Delaney Hall.

Blanche shared images of injuries sustained by officers, including large bleeding bite wounds.

"We will not tolerate the vicious attacks on ICE officers we’ve seen in New Jersey the last few days. These riots are clearly not 'peaceful protests' as you can see from the photos of these horrific wounds. Assault a federal officer, you’ll be held accountable," Blanche said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.