Federal authorities have arrested a far-left extremist who threatened to kill U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as well as their families, during a violent riot outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
Federal authorities on Saturdaya rrested Nicholas Scelfo, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, in connection with threats made against an ICE agent and their family.
The incident occurred on the evening of May 28, during days of sustained rioting that erupted outside the facility following claims of a hunger strike taking place inside. In a viral recording, Scelfo is seen pointing toward ICE agents and stating, “I’ll kill your whole f—ing family. Your whole f—ing family is dead. Your children, your wife, all dead. I have your face, motherf—er. You’re dead. Dead.”
While speaking with Fox News the following day, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the video and stated that an investigation was underway. “That’s a federal crime. Not only threatening the ICE officer, but think about how disgusting this individual is — threatening his family and his children with death,” Blanche said.
“We see his face and I promise you we will find him, and when we find him, we will arrest him,” he added.
“I’ll kill your whole f—king family! Your children, your wife, all dead! I have your face!”
Newark (May 27) —Far-left rioters incited by Democrats and extremists make death threats against federal agents at the siege of Delaney Hall. Video by @nicksortor: pic.twitter.com/pbsNiXGEED
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 28, 2026
The FBI, with the help of facial recognition technology from the video footage, identified Scelfo and took him into custody within approximately 24 hours. “Told you. [FBI] just arrested the man who threatened to kill [an] officer, his wife, and children,” Blanche said after the arrest was made.
Details on the precise charges against Scelfo, such as potential violations under federal threat statutes, have not been fully detailed in public releases from the Justice Department. He is likely to face multiple felony charges for threatening the life of a federal agent, however.
The arrest occurred against the backdrop of repeated clashes outside Delaney Hall. Demonstrations have involved blocking access roads, and federal officers have used pepper spray and other measures to maintain perimeter security. Multiple arrests have occurred on various nights for alleged assaults on officers, including incidents involving kicking, biting, and throwing objects.
