Dominican National Arrested for Assaulting ICE Deportation Officer

NEWARK, N.J. – A Dominican national was arrested for assaulting a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) deportation officer, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Darlin Leon, 39, of the Dominican Republic, is charged by complaint with one count of assaulting a federal officer.  Leon appeared on March 28, 2025 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 26, 2025, Leon was in the lawful custody of ICE at a facility located in Newark, New Jersey pending removal from the United States. While being processed for removal, Leon struck the victim deportation officer in the head with a closed fist at least four times. As a result of Leon’s assault, the victim deportation officer sustained bodily injury, including lacerations and abrasions to the back of his head.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: Linda Foster, AFPD, Esq.