A Honduran man allegedly swung a hammer at ICE agents during a New Jersey traffic stop, and one agent saw their ‘life flash’ before their eyes

A Honduran man is accused of swinging a hammer at two ICE officers during a vehicle stop in Gibbsboro, New Jersey, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. According to New York Post, Reinieri De Jesus Licona Amador, 27, faces a federal charge of assaulting federal officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon. Federal authorities state he lacked lawful immigration status. The charge is an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey stated that ICE deportation officers checked a truck’s plate during a targeted operation on Oct. 4. The check matched the truck to Licona Amador. Immigration records indicated he lacked lawful status, and officers confirmed his appearance matched his file photo. They activated their emergency lights, and he pulled over.

Officers wearing vests marked “ICE” and “Police” approached and saw him reach into a tool container and take out a hammer, the office stated. Prosecutors allege he ignored commands to stop moving, moved to the passenger side and climbed onto the truck door. He then swung the hammer multiple times at two officers, the complaint states. Officers used pepper spray and took him to the ground, prosecutors stated.

Prosecutors outline the charge and penalties

He was arrested on Oct. 19 and appeared that day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden federal court. A federal public defender is listed as his attorney. U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer stated, “We will not allow violent attacks on federal officers to go unanswered.”

Michael S. McCarthy, who leads Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, stated that threats, violence and obstruction aimed at federal officers are unacceptable and must end. The outlet’s account adds that one responding agent saw their “life flash” before their eyes. Homeland Security Investigations special agents in Cherry Hill investigated, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen is prosecuting the case.

Under 18 U.S.C. 111, it is a crime to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate or interfere with certain federal officers who are performing official duties. Simple assault carries up to one year in prison, while assault involving physical contact or intent to commit another felony carries up to eight years. Using a deadly or dangerous weapon or inflicting bodily injury raises the maximum to 20 years.

A separate law, 8 U.S.C. 1357, covers arrests by immigration officers. It lets them arrest without a warrant a person seen entering or attempting to enter the country in violation of immigration law. It also covers a person in the country whom officers have reason to believe is in violation of immigration law and likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained. The arrested person must be taken without unnecessary delay for examination by an immigration officer.

ICE has also been reported to be seeking detention space, as when ICE sought contractors for holding space. Other ICE arrests have been disputed. A bystander stated that ICE agents allegedly pinned a man in Evanston, Illinois, while DHS stated the man refused to identify himself.