Honduran National Charged With Swinging Hammer at ICE Officers During New Jersey Traffic Stop

A Honduran national who federal authorities say was in the United States illegally has been charged with assaulting federal officers after he allegedly climbed onto his truck and repeatedly swung a hammer at Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a traffic stop in Gibbsboro, New Jersey, earlier this month, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey announced.

Reinieri De Jesus Licona Amador, 27, appeared Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in federal court in Camden, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, as Fox News reported.

"Federal officers put themselves in harm's way to enforce the law and protect the public," U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said in a statement. "When an individual responds to a traffic stop by attacking an officer with a hammer, that conduct threatens not only the officer's safety but the rule of law itself. We will not allow violent attacks on federal officers to go unanswered and will hold those responsible accountable under the law."

What the Criminal Complaint Alleges

According to the criminal complaint, the incident began during a targeted ICE operation in Gibbsboro, a borough in Camden County, when officers ran a license plate check on a truck traveling through the area, Fox News reported. The truck was registered to Licona Amador, and a search of immigration records indicated he lacked lawful status in the United States, prosecutors said.

Officers activated their emergency lights and pulled the truck over. As they approached, prosecutors allege, they saw Licona Amador reach into a tool container in the back seat and pick up a hammer.

Officers ordered him to stop moving, but he refused, prompting them to open the door and try to remove him from the truck, according to the complaint. He allegedly pulled away, moved to the passenger side, and climbed out while still holding the hammer, ignoring repeated commands.

He then allegedly climbed onto the passenger-side door and repeatedly swung the hammer at the officers, prosecutors said. Officers used pepper spray and wrestled him to the ground, according to the complaint. He was arrested without injury.

ICE Officers Were Not Hurt; Up to 20 Years if Convicted

The charge of assaulting federal officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The charge is an allegation, and Licona Amador is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The incident took place on Oct. 4, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Gibbsboro is in Camden County in South Jersey.

Image: ICE officers during a January 2025 operation in Chicago, file photo; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Hold Everyone Accountable.

Sources: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, "Illegal Alien Assaults ICE Deportation Officers with Hammer" (Oct. 20, 2026): https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/illegal-alien-assaults-ice-deportation-officers-hammer ; the criminal complaint (Attachment A): https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/media/1467116/dl?inline ; Fox News, "Honduran national allegedly swings hammer at ICE officers in New Jersey" (Oct. 20, 2026): https://www.foxnews.com/us/honduran-illegal-immigrant-charged-assaulting-ice-officers-hammer-new-jersey-traffic-stop