Morris County man charged with assaulting ICE officers during protest outside Newark detention facility
NEWARK, N.J. (Essex County) — A Morris County man has been charged with assaulting federal officers after allegedly kicking and biting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a protest outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, federal authorities announced.
Brendan John Geier, 26, of Madison, was arrested May 28 and charged by criminal complaint with assaulting federal officers and causing bodily injury. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais and was released with location monitoring, a curfew and an order prohibiting him from returning to Delaney Hall.
According to court documents, ICE officers were conducting security and crowd-control operations during a demonstration outside the detention facility on the evening of May 28. Authorities said officers were attempting to clear a roadway used for vehicles entering and leaving the facility when a group of demonstrators, including Geier, allegedly refused repeated commands to move.
Federal prosecutors allege that after an ICE deportation officer approached Geier, he kicked the officer in the leg. During a subsequent struggle, Geier allegedly bit two officers and kicked another officer in the forearm while officers attempted to remove him from the area.
The officers received medical treatment at the scene, and two were later treated at a Newark hospital, authorities said.
“As alleged, this defendant responded to lawful orders from federal officers by kicking one and biting two others who were performing their official duties. Assaulting law enforcement officers is unacceptable. Period. Federal officers must be able to carry out their responsibilities without being subjected to violence, intimidation, or obstruction. This Office will continue to prosecute those who, as alleged here, assault officers and interfere with the lawful execution of their duties,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
“Peaceful protest doesn’t translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Federal officers are protecting United States’ property and facilities. With virtually no local law enforcement support from New Jersey, rioters are regrouping and attacking. 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.”
“As alleged in the Justice Department’s complaint, this violent rioter savagely bit an ICE law enforcement officer outside of Delaney Hall. The Trump Administration will always stand with our law enforcement officers,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“To be clear, peaceful protest does not mean biting, kicking, or punching law enforcement officers,” said HSI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “The repeated assaults on federal officers at Delaney Hall are criminal acts—not protected speech. Homeland Security Investigations is unwavering in its commitment to hold those who attack law enforcement fully accountable under the law.”
“This defendant’s court appearance is a clear step toward justice after 21 individuals were arrested for assaulting federal officers at Delaney Hall from May 26-29,” said ERO Newark acting Field Office Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr. “Instead of peacefully protesting, rioters blocked ICE officers conducting their lawful duties, ignored repeated lawful commands and threatened violence. Our brave ICE officers risked their lives to protect everyone present inside and out of Delaney Hall and we will continue to pursue charges against agitators and ensure violent offenders have real consequences.”
The charge of assault resulting in bodily injury carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
