Four detainees with violent criminal histories have escaped from a Newark ICE detention facility, breaking through a flimsy drywall barrier during a disturbance over delayed meals.
At a Glance
- Four criminal detainees escaped from Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark by breaking through a wall described as “essentially just drywall with some mesh inside”
- The escapees are two Colombian men and two Hondurans with felony histories including aggravated assault, unlawful gun possession, and terroristic threats
- The Department of Homeland Security has declared them “public safety threats” and is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their capture
- The escape occurred amid reports of unrest related to detainees allegedly not being fed for up to 20 hours
- Newark’s mayor has criticized the facility for operating without necessary permits and has taken legal action
Detention Facility Security Breach
Four detainees with histories of violent crimes escaped from the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark by breaking through an inadequately secured wall. The escapees have been identified as Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, and Andres Pineda-Mogollon, citizens of Honduras and Colombia. Federal authorities have issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert and are urging the public to contact law enforcement immediately with any information about their whereabouts.
Senator Andy Kim, who visited the facility, revealed alarming details about the security vulnerability that enabled the escape. “This particular wall in Unit 5 was essentially just drywall with some mesh inside, and that actually led to an exterior wall. So that is how the detainees got out,” Kim stated. The Department of Homeland Security has classified the escapees as public safety threats based on their criminal backgrounds, which include charges of aggravated assault, burglary, unlawful possession of a handgun, and making terroristic threats.
“Members of Congress storming into a detention facility goes beyond a bizarre political stunt and puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and detainees at risk. Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities. The allegations… https://t.co/UOOoi51HKf
— TRUMP TRUTHS TRUMP IS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING! (@Trumpwonbigly1) May 11, 2025
Unrest and Allegations of Poor Conditions
Reports indicate the escape occurred during a disturbance at the facility related to delayed meals. Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin, who represents clients at Delaney Hall, described the incident: “It’s about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive and it turned violent.” According to Cetin, detainees blocked security cameras before breaking through a wall he described as “not very strong.” Multiple sources reported that detainees had allegedly not been fed for up to 20 hours, contributing to the unrest.
“Apparently the guards lost control of them, And they started to, you know, create a disturbance. They came back up to the third floor, where my client is. Basically, they blocked off cameras, security cameras, and some of them made their way into a housing unit with a very thin, shallow wall, and they knocked it out.”, said Mustafa Cetin.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has expressed concern about the situation, stating, “We are concerned about reports of what has transpired at Delaney Hall this evening, ranging from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees.” The facility has been placed under strict lockdown following the escape, with all visitation suspended until further notice. This has left families of other detainees frustrated and concerned about their loved ones’ wellbeing.
Facility Under Scrutiny
Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed detention center operated by the GEO Group under a 15-year, $1 billion contract, has faced increased scrutiny since the escape. Mayor Baraka has criticized the facility for allegedly operating without necessary permits and has initiated legal action. Senator Kim characterized the situation as “a perfect example of the shoddiness of this plan” and “a symbol for the brokenness of the Trump administration plan when it comes to immigration.”
ICE is conducting a comprehensive security review to determine if the facility should continue operations. Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security have denied widespread unrest at the facility and maintain their commitment to providing high-quality services to detainees. Law enforcement agencies, including the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and Newark Police, have joined federal authorities in the search for the escapees. DHS is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.
The public is encouraged to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE with any information that could help locate these individuals. Authorities emphasize that the escapees should be considered dangerous due to their criminal histories and should not be approached.
