TOMS RIVER, NJ — A man convicted of criminal sexual contact was arrested by federal authorities outside the Ocean County Justice Complex in Toms River as part of an ongoing immigration enforcement operation led by FBI Newark and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Key Points
- A convicted sex offender was arrested by ICE and FBI outside the Ocean County courthouse
- The man was previously convicted at Ocean County Superior Court of criminal sexual contact
- Ocean County recently reversed its policy and began honoring ICE detainers again
The arrest occurred while the unidentified man, an illegal immigrant, was on the premises of the courthouse. Officials say he had a prior conviction from the Ocean County Superior Court and was taken into custody without incident.
Federal agents from FBI Newark and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division coordinated the arrest, which falls under increased immigration enforcement actions in New Jersey and other states.
Ocean County shifting policy on immigration
Ocean County Jail currently houses several dozen undocumented immigrants with open ICE detainers, according to public law enforcement databases.
In March, Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione announced that the county would resume honoring ICE detainers.
The county will begin honoring ICE detainers, after years of being handcuffed by the Murphy administration through the Attorney General’s immigrant trust directive, Bacchione said at the time.
The state’s previous directive, issued under former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, had limited local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, aiming to encourage community trust in law enforcement.
Increased federal presence in New Jersey
Friday’s arrest underscores a growing federal presence in New Jersey, where ICE and the FBI have launched more courthouse and jail-based enforcement operations in counties now cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Officials did not release the identity of the suspect due to ongoing legal proceedings and federal privacy policies.
A dramatic shift in local cooperation has opened the door for renewed immigration enforcement across multiple counties in the state.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin are now under federal investigation for a leaked memo ordering police not to cooperate with federal agencies on immigration matters.
That memo was shared to the media by New Jersey GOP candidate for Governor, Jack Ciattarelli.