Reinieri De Jesus Licona Amador, 27, faces federal charges after prosecutors accused him of swinging a hammer at Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a traffic stop in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. The confrontation occurred on Oct. 4, 2026, during a targeted immigration enforcement operation. Licona Amador appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in federal court in Camden on Monday. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
| 1) | Traffic stop began during a targeted ICE operation |
| 2) | Prosecutors describe the alleged hammer attack |
| 3) | Officers used pepper spray to make the arrest |
| 4) | Federal assault charge carries substantial penalties |
| 5) | Officials emphasize the risks faced by federal officers |
Traffic stop began during a targeted ICE operation
According to the criminal complaint, ICE officers were conducting a targeted operation in Gibbsboro on Oct. 4 when they ran a license plate check on a truck traveling through the New Jersey community. The vehicle was registered to Reinieri De Jesus Licona Amador. Prosecutors said an immigration records search indicated that he was unlawfully present in the United States.
Officers then activated their emergency lights and stopped the truck. The account comes from federal prosecutors and the criminal complaint, and the allegations have not been established at trial. The traffic stop led to an attempted arrest and the federal charge now pending in Camden federal court.
Prosecutors describe the alleged hammer attack
As officers approached the truck, they allegedly saw Licona Amador reach into a tool container in the back seat and take hold of a hammer. Prosecutors said officers ordered him to stop moving, but he did not comply. They opened the vehicle door and tried to remove him from the truck, according to the complaint.
The complaint alleges that Licona Amador pulled away and moved toward the passenger side, where officers again attempted to restrain him. He then allegedly climbed out through the passenger side while holding the hammer and ignored repeated commands to drop it or stop. Prosecutors said he climbed onto the passenger-side door and repeatedly swung the tool at the officers.
Officers used pepper spray to make the arrest
Federal prosecutors said the officers responded by deploying oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly known as pepper spray. They then wrestled Licona Amador to the ground and took him into custody. The complaint says the arrest was completed without injury to the accused man.
The alleged sequence began inside or alongside the truck and escalated when officers attempted to remove him. The government is relying on the officers’ account and other evidence described in the complaint to support the assault charge. A court will determine whether the allegations satisfy the legal standard required for conviction.
Federal assault charge carries substantial penalties
Licona Amador was charged with assaulting federal officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He appeared Monday before Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden federal court. The charge relates to the alleged use of the hammer against ICE officers during the New Jersey stop.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Those are statutory maximums, not a prediction of the sentence he would receive. The case remains pending, and Licona Amador is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Officials emphasize the risks faced by federal officers
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said federal officers put themselves in danger while enforcing the law and protecting the public. He described an alleged hammer attack during a traffic stop as a threat to officer safety and the rule of law.
“When an individual responds to a traffic stop by attacking an officer with a hammer, that conduct threatens not only the officer’s safety but the rule of law itself,” Robert Frazer said.
Frazer added that federal authorities would pursue accountability for violent attacks on federal officers. The statement reflects the government’s position in the case, while the criminal proceedings will determine the facts and any eventual responsibility.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The alleged confrontation occurred Oct. 4 in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. |
| 2 | Prosecutors say Licona Amador swung a hammer at ICE officers. |
| 3 | Officers used pepper spray and arrested him without injury. |
| 4 | He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. |
Summary
Federal prosecutors allege that a Honduran national unlawfully present in the United States attacked ICE officers with a hammer during an attempted arrest in Gibbsboro. Officers used pepper spray to subdue him, and he now faces a federal assault charge carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence. The allegations will be tested through the federal court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged?
Reinieri De Jesus Licona Amador, 27, was charged with assaulting federal officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Where did the alleged incident occur?
The alleged incident occurred during a traffic stop in Gibbsboro, New Jersey, on Oct. 4, 2026.
What penalty could follow a conviction?
Prosecutors said Licona Amador could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.