New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver is facing a felony charge of assaulting a federal officer for allegedly pushing a pair of unnamed Homeland Security agents during a scuffle that broke out earlier this month as three House members were trying to visit an immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, a court filing released Tuesday shows.
Details of the Assault Charge
The criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Newark alleges McIver “slammed her forearm” into one agent and “forcibly” grabbed him. The Democratic congressmember is also accused of using “each of her forearms to forcibly strike” another officer, according to the complaint, which includes multiple photos from video cameras worn by officers, as well as others mounted outside the facility.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Sentencing
The charge against McIver carries a maximum statutory punishment of eight years in prison, although defendants are typically sentenced in accordance with federal guidelines that usually result in sentences well below the maximum. Under federal court rules, prosecutors will have 30 days to get a grand jury to obtain an indictment of McIver.
Reactions and Political Context
The court filing was released hours before a House subcommittee planned to hold a hearing examining the “threats to ICE operations.” The incident in Newark has sparked political tensions, with various lawmakers weighing in on the situation.
Madison Fernandez contributed to this report.
