Colombian National Faces 20 Years for Assaulting ICE Officer in New Jersey

Hector Villegas-Alvarez, a 27-year-old Colombian national living in the U.S. illegally, has been charged with assaulting a federal officer after he forcefully elbowed a female ICE deportation officer in the face during an attempted arrest in Roselle, New Jersey. The incident, which took place during a February enforcement operation, resulted in the officer suffering a broken nose and concussion, with ongoing post-concussion symptoms. Villegas-Alvarez resisted arrest by locking his arms and tensing his body, prompting officers to use a taser multiple times before subduing him. Prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of the charges and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting law enforcement officers from violence. Villegas-Alvarez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. The case highlights ongoing federal efforts to enforce immigration laws and address offenses against law enforcement.