By: Richard L. Smith
A woman from Arizona has been charged with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer after allegedly punching a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent during a protest outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, federal officials announced.
According to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer, Mariano Anthony Perez, 31, of Phoenix, Arizona, was charged by complaint with forcibly assaulting a federal officer involving physical contact.
Perez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on June 8.
Federal authorities said the incident occurred on June 5 while HSI agents and officers were conducting security and crowd-control operations during a demonstration near the Delaney Hall detention facility.
According to court documents, HSI personnel were assigned to maintain a secure perimeter and keep roadways clear for law enforcement vehicles entering and leaving the facility.
Investigators said agents observed Perez repeatedly walking near the entrance and issued multiple commands directing Perez to move back from the area.
Authorities allege that Perez later attempted to walk past an HSI special agent who was stationed near the facility entrance as law enforcement vehicles were entering the property.
The agent reportedly stopped Perez and advised that access was restricted. Prosecutors said Perez ignored the directive and continued toward the vehicles.
When the agent attempted to stop Perez, authorities allege Perez suddenly turned and struck the agent in the face with a closed fist. 
The agent suffered injuries to his upper and lower lip as a result of the punch, according to federal officials.
“Violent acts committed during what should be peaceful protests will not be tolerated,” said HSI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “Homeland Security Investigations remains resolute in ensuring that individuals who threaten or attack law enforcement face the full force of the law.”