The FBI has arrested the final detainee who escaped from an ICE facility in New Jersey last month, ending a nationwide manhunt that has drawn fierce political scrutiny and renewed debate over immigration enforcement.
Andres Felipe Pineda-Mogollon, a Colombian national who overstayed his tourist visa, was apprehended Thursday during a traffic stop in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the FBI’s Los Angeles office. Homeland Security Investigations assisted in the operation.
Pineda-Mogollon was one of four detainees who escaped from Delaney Hall, a privately operated ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on the evening of June 12. All four men—described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as serious public safety threats—have now been recaptured.
“We are tremendously grateful to our ICE agents and law enforcement partners for tracking down these dangerous fugitives,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Delaney Hall houses individuals convicted of crimes like aggravated assault, burglary, and theft. These slimeballs no longer pose a threat to the public.”
Escape After Food Riot
The escape occurred following a disturbance involving around 50 detainees, reportedly sparked by delayed meals. According to immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin, tensions escalated until detainees pushed down a dormitory wall.
Pineda-Mogollon had previously been arrested twice this year—first by the NYPD in April for larceny, and again in May by Union, New Jersey, police for residential burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Who Were the Other Escapees?
- Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes entered the U.S. illegally in 2021. He was arrested in May for aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and weapons charges.
- Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, who arrived as a minor in 2019, faced multiple arrests, including for handgun possession and aggravated assault.
- Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was arrested in May on burglary and theft charges.
All three were captured earlier in July.
Fallout and Protests
Their escape has drawn criticism from both immigration advocates and opponents. Following the breakout, protesters temporarily blocked access to the ICE facility in Newark, demanding improved conditions and oversight.
Meanwhile, DHS officials have defended ICE and its operations. “Despite political attacks, the facts remain: ICE is essential to public safety,” McLaughlin said.
The escape and recapture of these individuals come amid heightened debate over immigration policy and detention conditions, as well as calls from some lawmakers to increase oversight of private detention facilities.
