Identities of 4 criminal migrants who escaped ICE facility revealed by DHS
The Department of Homeland Security has provided details on the four migrants who escaped from a Newark ICE facility on Thursday night, identifying them as “public safety threats” who are still on the run. The agency is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the capture of these individuals.
The escaped migrants have been identified as Honduran nationals Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, as well as Colombian nationals Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada and Andres Pineda-Mogollon. Each of these individuals has a history of felony offenses, including aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, and terroristic threats.
Bautista-Reyes entered the U.S. illegally in 2021 and was arrested for various charges, including aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. Sandoval-Lopez arrived in the U.S. as a minor in 2019 and has been arrested for unlawful possession of a handgun and aggravated assault. Castaneda-Lozada entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and has been arrested for burglary and theft. Pineda-Mogollon overstayed his tourist visa and has been arrested for larceny and residential burglary.
According to immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin, the escape occurred after around 50 detainees at the facility became agitated due to meal delays. The detainees pushed down a dormitory wall, leading to chaos inside the facility. There were reports of detainees attempting to escape by hanging bedsheets.
Law enforcement officers from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and Newark Police were called to the scene to control the situation. Protesters also gathered outside the facility, blocking an SUV from leaving the premises. The escapees were later spotted near Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street.
Despite reports of unrest at the facility, DHS stated that the privately held facility remains committed to providing high-quality services to detainees, including access to medical care, legal visitation, and recreational amenities.
A senior DHS official urged the public to report any sightings or information on the escaped migrants to emergency services or the ICE tip line. Additional law enforcement partners have been mobilized to track down the individuals.
The escape of these migrants highlights the challenges faced by immigration enforcement agencies in ensuring the safety and security of detention facilities. Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the escaped individuals to prevent any further threats to public safety.
