On or about May 28, 2026, ICE Deportation Officers were engaged in crowd-control and perimeter enforcement operations at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility on Doremus Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. A large demonstration had formed near the facility, blocking vehicular access. Officers — including Victim-1, Victim-2, and Victim-3 — were assigned to clear the road leading to and from the facility.
"As part of their duties, Deportation Officers, including Victim-1, Victim-2, and Victim-3, were assigned to perimeter enforcement for Delaney Hall. The assignment routinely required the Deportation Officers to clear the road leading to and from Delaney Hall for vehicles. One of the ways the Deportation Officers did so was to form a line of officers, creating a barrier between any demonstrators and the Facility."
At approximately 10:30 PM, a large group of demonstrators was blocking the road to the facility. Deportation Officers formed a line and moved toward the crowd — including toward the defendant, Brendan John Geier — issuing commands to "move back." According to the affidavit, the demonstrators, including Geier, refused to comply and disregarded the commands.
According to the HSI affidavit sworn by Special Agent Anthony Chen, Victim-1 moved in Geier's direction as part of crowd-control operations, causing Geier to lose his balance. At that point, Geier allegedly kicked Victim-1 in the leg. Victim-1 responded by striking Geier's leg with a baton.
Other Deportation Officers — Victim-2 and Victim-3 — observed the struggle and came to assist. A command was given to remove Geier from the area. As officers carried Geier toward the gate, Geier allegedly bit the forearm of Victim-2 and the knuckle of Victim-3. He also allegedly kicked Victim-1 again, causing an injury to Victim-1's forearm. All three officers were restrained from the encounter — Victim-2 and Victim-3 were transported to a hospital in Newark for treatment.
"GEIER physically resisted the Deportation Officers' actions and was non-compliant. At that point, a command was given to remove GEIER from the surrounding area, at which time various officers, including Victim-2 and Victim-3, lifted GEIER and carried him from the location of the original struggle towards the gate area of the Facility. As the officers were moving GEIER to that location, GEIER bit the forearm of Victim-2 and the knuckle of Victim-3. GEIER also kicked Victim-1, who sustained an injury to his forearm."
Brendan John Geier — Status: Charged, Not Convicted
Shortly after his arrest, a federal law enforcement officer advised Geier of his Miranda rights. Geier waived those rights and agreed to be interviewed. The following account is drawn directly from the HSI affidavit.
Geier recalled standing in a line with individuals who had locked arms. He stated officers approached, causing him and others to back up. He claimed he attempted to "push" between an officer and another person with his feet — but admitted he "eventually started kicking the officers," which ended up "escalating things." When other officers responded, he stated he "panicked." When asked about the bite marks, Geier admitted he was "panicking" and bit at least one of the individuals around him.
"[He] eventually started 'kicking the officers,' which ended up 'escalating things.'"
| Count | Charge | Statute | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count 1 | Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Certain Officers or Employees — with physical contact and bodily injury to Victim-1, Victim-2, and Victim-3 | 18 U.S.C. §§ 111(a)(1) and (b) | Up to 20 years federal prison |
1. Criminal Complaint — Mag. No. 26-9087 — U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey — Sworn by HSI Special Agent Anthony Chen — Signed by Hon. Cari Fais, U.S. Magistrate Judge — May 2026
2. Attachment A — Count One: Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Certain Officers or Employees — 18 U.S.C. §§ 111(a)(1) and (b) — Essex County, District of New Jersey — On or about May 28, 2026
3. Attachment B — HSI Special Agent Affidavit — Anthony Chen — Paragraphs 1–16 — Detailing the incident at Delaney Hall Detention Facility, the assault on Victim-1, Victim-2, and Victim-3, and the post-arrest statement of Brendan John Geier
4. Injury photographs — Victim-1 and Victim-2 — included in the official complaint filing