The Daily Populous Saturday April 19th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by latintimes.com and submitted by Aggravating_Money992

A Colombian national is facing up to 20 years in prison after allegedly breaking an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer's nose during an attempted arrest in Roselle, New Jersey back in February during an enforcement operation.

The 27-year-old man, identified as Hector Villegas-Alvarez, was approached by ICE agents who had determined he was unlawfully present in the United States and subject to deportation.

According to an official statement by the New Jersey Attorney's Office, Villegas-Alvarez exited his vehicle when ordered to do so but physically resisted arrest, locking his arms and tensing his body when officers attempted to apply handcuffs.

During the struggle, Villegas-Alvarez "forcefully elbowed" a female ICE deportation officer in the face. As a result of the impact, the officer sustained a broken nose and a concussion. The statement goes on to claim that she continues to experience post-concussion symptoms, including fainting spells and difficulty breathing.

Villegas-Alvarez was then tasered multiple times during the altercation and briefly fell to the ground as he attempted to return to his vehicle, according to court documents obtained by The New York Post. He was eventually subdued by the officers and taken into custody. He has been indicted on one count of assaulting a federal officer.

"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," said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in the aforementioned statement. "Those who choose to attack and assault law enforcement will continue to be met with swift and severe punishment."

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Villegas-Alvarez was arraigned last week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and remains in custody. The case comes amid a broader federal initiative under "Operation Take Back America," which has seen a spike in ICE arrests across the New York City metro area.

hypnoticby0 on April 19th, 2025 at 00:11 UTC »

If someone in an unmarked car, with plain clothes, attempts to abduct me under any circumstances I should have the right to defend myself. This is ridiculous

Proxee on April 18th, 2025 at 23:53 UTC »

I mean, how long until one of these ICE officers is shot in self defense? They’re showing up masked with no credentials. Any weirdo that wants to cosplay and harass their immigrant neighbors can buy patches and vests off the internet.

MayOrMayNotBePie on April 18th, 2025 at 22:49 UTC »

The headline says undocumented, the caption under the photo says legal U.S. status, and the article says he was here unlawfully.

I know I’m not the brightest bulb in the box but which is it lol?