By: Richard L. Smith
A Morris County man has been charged with assaulting federal officers during a demonstration outside Newark's Delaney Hall immigration detention facility, federal authorities announced.
Brendan John Geier, 26, of Madison, was arrested on May 28 and charged by criminal complaint with assaulting federal officers and causing bodily injury, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Federal officials allege the incident occurred during ongoing demonstrations outside Delaney Hall, a facility that has become the center of weeks of protests, arrests, and public debate over immigration detention policies and conditions inside the center.
According to court documents, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting security and crowd-control operations near the facility at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 28 when a large group of demonstrators blocked a roadway leading to and from the detention center.
Authorities said officers repeatedly ordered protesters to move back and clear the road, but Geier and others allegedly refused to comply. 
During an attempt by officers to move demonstrators from the roadway, Geier allegedly kicked one officer in the leg.
As officers attempted to remove him from the area, prosecutors allege Geier bit two additional officers, causing injuries that required medical treatment.
Three officers received medical attention at the scene, while two were later treated at a Newark hospital, according to federal authorities.
Geier appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais and was released under conditions that include location monitoring, a curfew, and a prohibition from returning to Delaney Hall while the case proceeds.
Federal officials strongly condemned the alleged assault. U.S. Attorney Frazer said federal officers must be able to perform their duties without facing violence or intimidation and vowed continued prosecution of those accused of interfering with law enforcement operations.
Homeland Security Investigations Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas said assaults on officers are criminal acts and not protected forms of protest, while Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that peaceful demonstrations do not include physical attacks on law enforcement personnel.
Federal officials noted that Geier's court appearance follows a series of arrests connected to demonstrations at Delaney Hall.
Authorities said 21 individuals were arrested between May 26 and May 29 on allegations of assaulting federal officers during protest-related incidents near the facility.