The final escaped illegal immigrant from the Newark ICE facility has been captured by the FBI after a traffic stop in Los Angeles. Andres Felipe Pineda-Mogollon, a Colombian national, was apprehended on Thursday, marking the conclusion of a multi-agency operation to apprehend the fugitives. The four individuals, including Pineda-Mogollon, had broken out of the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 12 following a disturbance inside the facility.
The escape occurred after approximately 50 detainees, including Pineda-Mogollon, pushed down a dormitory wall following an incident involving delayed meals. Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin attributed the disturbance to agitation among the detainees, which escalated into a violent altercation. The FBI confirmed the arrest of Pineda-Mogollon, noting the successful collaboration between Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement agencies. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that the individuals captured posed significant threats to public safety, including aggravated assault, burglary, theft, and threats against law enforcement.
Each of the four fugitives had prior arrests for violent crimes before their escape from the facility. Pineda-Mogollon had been arrested in April for larceny and again in May for burglary and conspiracy charges. Bautista-Reyes, from Honduras, had been arrested for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon. Sandoval-Lopez, who entered the U.S. as a minor in 2019, faced charges of unlawful possession of a handgun and aggravated assault. Castaneda-Lozada had also been arrested for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary. The case highlights the complexities of managing detention facilities and the risks associated with the escape of individuals with criminal histories.
The incident has sparked discussions regarding the adequacy of security measures in immigration detention centers and the effectiveness of law enforcement’s response to such breaches. The FBI’s involvement in capturing the final fugitive underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in ensuring public safety. As the investigation continues, authorities will likely review the circumstances of the escape to implement improvements in facility management and security protocols.