Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) is facing up to 17 years in federal prison following a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Newark.
The charges relate to a May 9 incident outside Delaney Hall, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, where McIver allegedly physically interfered with federal agents during an attempted arrest.
U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba addressed the charges in a formal statement.
“As I have stated in the past, it is my Constitutional obligation as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for New Jersey to ensure that our federal partners are protected when executing their duties,” Habba said.
She continued, “While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve.”
The indictment, handed down Tuesday, accuses McIver of forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers.
McIver’s actions obstructed ICE officers who were attempting to arrest an illegal alien during a scheduled operation outside the detention center, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Federal officials say the altercation occurred as McIver and two fellow New Jersey Democratic representatives—Bonnie Watson Coleman and Robert Menendez—visited the facility to conduct a congressional oversight visit.
Their arrival coincided with a protest by open borders activists stationed outside the center.
During the visit, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka also arrived at the detention facility.
The DOJ states that Baraka was granted access to a secured area but was later informed by federal officers that he was not authorized to remain.
Officers issued multiple verbal warnings to the mayor and told him that he would be arrested if he did not exit the restricted area.
McIver and other members of the delegation reportedly overheard the exchange between Baraka and the officers.
As federal law enforcement moved to arrest the mayor, McIver allegedly intervened, placing herself physically between the officers and the mayor in an effort to prevent the arrest from taking place.
McIver, along with other individuals present, surrounded the mayor to shield him from law enforcement, according to the DOJ’s account.
When the officers attempted to place Baraka in handcuffs, McIver is accused of obstructing them, escalating the confrontation.
After officers initially escorted Baraka out of the secured area, a second attempt to arrest him was made outside.
At that point, a voice in the crowd reportedly shouted “circle the mayor,” prompting McIver to take further action to physically block the arrest.
The indictment states that McIver turned to face the mayor and placed her arms around him.
In the process, she reportedly made physical contact with at least two federal law enforcement officers.
Prosecutors allege that she slammed her forearm into the body of one officer and grabbed him in an attempt to restrain him.
In addition, McIver allegedly used both forearms to strike a second officer as they attempted to execute the arrest.
Breitbart News reported that the indictment highlights these instances of physical interference as the basis for the federal charges now filed against her.
The DOJ’s indictment did not specify whether Mayor Baraka was ultimately taken into custody following the confrontation.
It also did not mention whether other members of Congress or individuals present that day would face charges.
If convicted, McIver could be sentenced to a maximum of 17 years in federal prison.
The indictment includes charges for forcibly impeding federal officers and physically obstructing a lawful arrest.
No trial date has been announced, and McIver has not issued a public response.
The post Dem Indicted After Confrontation at ICE Detention Center, Faces 17 Years in Prison appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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