A major operation in New Jersey has seen federal agents arrest hundreds of dangerous criminals, including illegal aliens.
Federal authorities arrested 264 wanted criminals, including murderers, gang members, and two illegal aliens wanted for sex crimes.
The arrests were part of a massive multi-agency law enforcement operation in New Jersey.
Officials say the crackdown focused on the “worst of the worst.”
“They brought the hammer down on the worst of the worst.”https://t.co/iJUpm5uAYZ
— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) July 5, 2025
The sweep, dubbed Operation Apex Hammer, targeted violent fugitives wanted for homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, and gang-related activity.
Among those captured were 17 murder suspects and 95 known gang members, according to officials.
Law enforcement sources revealed that many of the individuals arrested were in the U.S. illegally.
One of those individuals, Lorenzo Benitez, a 54-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested on June 4 in Plainfield, NJ.
He is facing multiple sexual assault charges stemming from incidents in Keansburg, according to reports.
Another suspect, Darlin Franco-Guzman, a 25-year-old illegal Honduran national, was taken into custody in Trenton on June 10.
He is wanted in Baltimore County, Maryland, for burglary and the attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl, officials said.
Authorities described the operation as one of the largest regional fugitive sweeps in years.
It was aimed at apprehending the most dangerous offenders.
The 264 suspects had a combined 2,625 prior arrests, an average of roughly 10 prior arrests per individual.
🚨 BREAKING: 264 wanted criminals arrested in New Jersey as part of Operation Apex hammer, led by US Attorney Alina Habba and US Marshal Juan Mattos Jr – NYP
This INCLUDES:
– 17 homicide suspects
– 95 gang members
– Others wanted for s*xual or serious violent offenses
– Illegal… pic.twitter.com/ATFPr6gpzV— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 5, 2025
The sweep also included:
• Stephen Bullock, 32, arrested June 13 and charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 76-year-old woman in Camden County.
• Shawn Davis, 38, was taken into custody in Brooklyn for a 2024 homicide in Trenton.
• Luis Duval-Jimenez, 31, was arrested for allegedly running over a police officer in South Brunswick in May.
• Trasuf Bennett, 20, and an unidentified juvenile, arrested June 19 for a drive-by shooting that killed a 20-year-old man in Millville.
• Francisco Ruiz, 67, captured June 20 in Bayonne, wanted on multiple charges including sexual assault by contact, terroristic threats, criminal restraint, and endangering the welfare of a child.
In addition to the arrests, law enforcement also seized 14 illegal firearms.
BREAKING 🚨 264 CriminaIs were arrested in New Jersey as part of “Operation Apex Hammer”. HUGE
Alina Habba LED this success Operation
KEEP IT GOING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Xxbg3rFeqk
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) July 5, 2025
Officials emphasized that Operation Apex Hammer specifically targeted repeat offenders and dangerous individuals with long criminal histories.
With illegal immigration already at the center of national debate, the arrests of criminal illegal aliens, including one accused of targeting a child, will likely fuel further calls for stronger border security and interior enforcement.
READ MORE – Trump Urges Kristi Noem to Arrest Ex-DHS Chief Alejandro Mayorkas Over Border Crisis
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