DA Habba Announces Wave Of Arrests In Federal Criminal Sweep

Federal authorities, led by acting District Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, have declared a significant series of arrests involving hundreds of individuals accused of grave and disturbing crimes.

As part of an ongoing initiative dubbed “Operation Apex Hammer,” federal authorities have detained 264 wanted criminals within the state. Among those apprehended are two illegal immigrants sought for sex crimes, alongside suspects linked to murder, robbery, and sexual offenses—including crimes against minors, as reported by the New York Post.

Federal officials indicate that the arrests encompass 17 individuals sought for homicide and 95 identified gang members, many of whom are facing charges related to severe violent and sexual crimes.

The New York Post reported that Habba, in conjunction with U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., described the partnership among federal, state, and local law enforcement as “a significant achievement in the fight against violent crime and the restoration of public safety.”

“We are managing multiple cases simultaneously to ensure a swift resolution,” Habba stated to Fox News regarding the operation in June. “Violent crime is our top priority. This is unequivocal from this administration. Our focus is solely on that.”

According to police sources who communicated with The Post, at least two of the individuals taken into custody were illegal immigrants.

In total, the 264 individuals had an astonishing 2,625 prior arrests—averaging approximately 10 arrests each, as noted by officials.

One of the detainees, 54-year-old Lorenzo Benitez, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested on June 4 in Plainfield, NJ. He is facing multiple charges of sexual assault in Keansburg, according to law enforcement officials.

Darlin Franco-Guzman, 25, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, was wanted in Baltimore County, Maryland, on charges of burglary and the attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. He was apprehended on June 10 in Trenton, as reported by officials, according to The Post.

The remaining fugitives were sought for various violent offenses, including kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder related to a drive-by shooting.

Stephen Bullock, aged 32, was apprehended on June 13 for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 76-year-old woman in Camden County. Shawn Davis, 38, was arrested in Brooklyn in connection with a homicide that occurred in Trenton in 2024, according to officials.

Luis Duval-Jimenez, 31, was wanted for allegedly running over a police officer in South Brunswick this past May. On June 19, Trasuf Bennett, 20, along with an unidentified juvenile accomplice, was arrested for the drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old man in Millville, N.J., as reported by authorities.

Francisco Ruiz, 67, was wanted on several charges, including sexual assault by contact, making terroristic threats, endangering a child’s welfare, and criminal restraint, as stated by officials. He was taken into custody on June 20 in Bayonne.

During the operation, officers also seized 14 illegal firearms.

“We are handling multiple cases simultaneously to ensure a swift resolution. Violent crime is our top priority. This is unequivocally clear from this administration. Our focus is solely on this issue. The political discussions are over, and it has truly been remarkable to be here,” Habba stated to Fox News last month during one of the Operation Apex Hammer sweeps.

Habba and her team had positioned themselves in anticipation of a significant target emerging from a residence to surrender; however, the suspect did not appear. Instead, three migrants, all reportedly residing in the country illegally, exited the home.

Fox reported that the search for a TDA suspect is still ongoing. “He is a gang member of Tren de Aragua. However, they believe they possess rights here that they do not have. If you are a criminal, you need to leave,” Habba, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, informed the outlet.

“Operation Apex Hammer is additionally focusing on U.S. citizens with outstanding arrest warrants, including a woman from New Jersey who, according to police, recently discharged a firearm at a minimum of two individuals. Furthermore, a man sought for aggravated assault was apprehended by the team,” reported Fox.