By: Richard L. Smith
A Dominican Republic citizen has been charged with assaulting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer during removal proceedings at a federal facility in Newark, federal authorities announced.
Darlin Leon, 39, was taken into custody following the incident and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor on March 28, 2025, in Newark federal court.
He is currently being held in detention. The charge was announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
According to court documents and statements made during the initial hearing, the incident occurred on March 26, 2025, while Leon was in lawful ICE custody pending deportation from the United States.
During the processing for his removal, authorities say Leon violently assaulted a deportation officer, striking the officer in the head with a closed fist at least four times.
The officer sustained bodily injuries as a result of the attack, including cuts and bruises to the back of the head.
Leon has been formally charged by criminal complaint with one count of assaulting a federal officer.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case remains under investigation by federal authorities. No further information regarding Leon’s immigration status or legal representation has been released.