Undocumented Colombian Man Faces 20 Years for Assaulting ICE Officer During Arrest in New Jersey

A Colombian national faces 20 years in prison after breaking an ICE officer's nose during an arrest in New Jersey. The officer remains under medical care.

 

ROSELLE, N.J. – A Colombian man accused of assaulting a federal officer during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Roselle, New Jersey, is facing up to 20 years in prison, according to U.S. federal prosecutors.

 

The suspect, 27-year-old Hector Villegas-Alvarez, was targeted by ICE agents in February after authorities determined he was unlawfully present in the United States and subject to removal proceedings.

 

According to an official statement released by the New Jersey Attorney’s Office, Villegas-Alvarez exited his vehicle when instructed but resisted arrest by locking his arms and tensing his body as officers attempted to apply handcuffs.

 

During the confrontation, Villegas-Alvarez allegedly elbowed a female ICE deportation officer in the face, fracturing her nose and causing a concussion. The officer continues to experience lingering post-concussion symptoms, including fainting episodes and respiratory issues, prosecutors said.

 

Court records indicate Villegas-Alvarez was tasered multiple times while resisting and briefly returned to his vehicle before being subdued and taken into custody.

 

He was formally charged with one count of assaulting a federal officer, a felony offense that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

 

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba condemned the attack in a statement:

 

“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. Those who choose to attack and assault law enforcement will continue to be met with swift and severe punishment.”

 

Villegas-Alvarez was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen last week in Newark federal court and remains in custody pending trial.

 

The case unfolds as part of a broader ICE initiative titled “Operation Take Back America,” which has resulted in a surge of immigration enforcement actions across the New York metropolitan area since late 2024.