One Caught – Can the Rest Be FOUND?

One detainee has been recaptured after a violent uprising led to four ICE detainees escaping from a New Jersey detention facility, while three remain at large as authorities intensify their search efforts.

At a Glance

• Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, one of four escapees from Newark’s Delaney Hall Detention Facility, was captured in Passaic by FBI and ICE agents
• The escape occurred on June 12 following a violent uprising involving approximately 50 detainees who pushed down a dormitory wall
• Sandoval-Lopez, who entered the U.S. illegally from Honduras in 2019, had prior arrests for unlawful possession of a handgun and aggravated assault
• A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the capture of the remaining three escapees
• Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has criticized facility operator GEO Group for failing to obtain necessary permits that would have allowed city inspections

Violent Uprising Leads to Detention Facility Breach

Federal authorities have captured one of four detainees who escaped from a New Jersey immigration detention center following a violent revolt. Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez was apprehended in Passaic by FBI and ICE agents on Saturday morning after fleeing the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark. The escape occurred on June 12 when approximately 50 detainees staged an uprising and managed to breach security by pushing down a wall of a dormitory room, creating an opportunity for the four men to escape the facility.

Sandoval-Lopez, who illegally entered the United States from Honduras in 2019, had a history of criminal activity including previous arrests for unlawful possession of a handgun and aggravated assault. Authorities have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the remaining three escapees who continue to evade law enforcement. The escape has prompted an intensified manhunt involving multiple agencies, with heavily armed officers seen arriving at the facility in the aftermath of the breach.

Facility Security and Oversight Under Scrutiny

The security breach has raised serious questions about the oversight and management of the detention facility, which is operated by private contractor GEO Group. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been particularly critical of the company, pointing to their failure to apply for necessary permits that would have allowed proper city inspections. This latest incident has intensified an ongoing dispute between the city administration and the facility operators regarding compliance with local regulations.

The tensions surrounding the facility were already elevated before this incident. Mayor Baraka had previously been arrested for trespassing at the detention center, though those charges were later dropped. Additionally, U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver was charged with felony assault related to an incident at the facility, highlighting the contentious relationship between local officials and the detention center operators.

Ongoing Manhunt and Public Safety Concerns

With three detainees still at large, law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts to locate and apprehend the remaining escapees. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the escape and is working with local and federal partners in the search operation. The successful capture of Sandoval-Lopez represents a partial victory for authorities, but significant public safety concerns remain until all escapees are in custody.

“One of four detainees who escaped from an ICE detention center in New Jersey was apprehended Saturday morning, law enforcement sources said. Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez was captured in Passaic by FBI and ICE agents”, the sources said.

The escape has intensified the national conversation about immigration detention policies and facility security standards. For local residents, the primary concern remains the potential public safety threat posed by the three individuals who remain unaccounted for. Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any information that might lead to the capture of the remaining escapees, while emphasizing the importance of not approaching the individuals directly.