Three arrested in latest ice criminal sweep in newark
Photo: #post_seo_title

Three arrested in latest ICE criminal sweep in Newark

Posted by
1 min read
February 26, 2026

NEWARK, NJ – In a series of targeted enforcement actions this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with the ERO Newark field office arrested several foreign nationals accused or convicted of serious crimes across New Jersey, including charges of child molestation, heroin distribution, and sexual assault.


Key Points

  • ICE’s Newark office detained multiple foreign nationals with violent or drug-related criminal histories
  • Arrests included offenders from Spain, India, and Ecuador
  • All individuals remain in federal custody pending deportation or removal proceedings

Arrests span multiple counties and serious charges

According to ICE and the ERO Newark field office, operations took place in early and mid-February, resulting in several high-profile arrests across Bergen and Middlesex counties. On February 10, agents working with the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service apprehended Naomi Homs Cabezas, a citizen of Spain, in Little Ferry. Officials said Cabezas had overstayed a nonimmigrant visa and now faces criminal charges for manufacturing and distributing heroin in New Jersey.

Days earlier, ICE agents detained Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, a national of India, who faces multiple pending charges in New Jersey, including sexual assault of a child under 13, shoplifting, and public disorder.

Photo: #post_seo_title

Convicted offender faces deportation following child sex assault case

In Middlesex County, ICE confirmed the custody of Victor Carrillo Ortega, a citizen of Ecuador, who was sentenced to eight years in state prison for molesting a minor under 13 years old. Ortega will remain in ICE custody pending a final deportation decision once his state sentence concludes.

Federal officials reaffirm strict removal policies

Photo: #post_seo_title

ERO Newark reiterated its enforcement stance with a message directed at foreign nationals unlawfully residing in the U.S.: “Self-deport or be deported—the choice is yours.” Officials said such operations aim to remove individuals who pose threats to public safety or have criminal convictions, especially involving violence, drugs, or child exploitation.

The recent arrests underscore ICE’s continued focus on detaining and removing individuals with serious criminal charges across New Jersey.

Photo: #post_seo_title

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version