A 27-year-old Brooklyn resident was arrested on May 27, 2026, after being caught on video threatening to murder an ICE officer and his family outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark.

The incident occurred during a demonstration where Nicholas Matthew Scelfo allegedly screamed at the officer: “I’ll kill your whole fucking family! Your whole fucking family is dead! Your children, your wife, all dead! I have your face, motherfucker! You’re dead! Dead!”

Scelfo’s video went viral online and led to his identification by the FBI using facial recognition technology within 24 hours. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court on June 1, 2026, and was released on $100,000 bond with a prohibition against returning to Delaney Hall.

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer charged Scelfo under 18 U.S. Code § 115 for influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official through threats of violence and death. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated: “Federal law enforcement officers face danger with great courage… This violent rioter who allegedly threatened to murder an ICE law enforcement officer and his family is being brought to justice.”

FBI Director Kash Patel added: “In particular, I want to thank Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche who moved extremely quickly to locate, pursue, and bring the subject to justice…”

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasized: “Our ICE officers are facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them… This violence against law enforcement must end.”

Scelfo admitted he was the individual on video and saw the footage circulating online prior to his arrest.