Federal authorities swept up 264 wanted criminals — including two illegal migrants wanted for sex crimes — as part of a wide-ranging law enforcement crackdown in New Jersey dubbed “Operation Apex Hammer,” which targeted suspects wanted for violent and sexual offenses, including crimes against children, the New York Post reported.

“They brought the hammer down on the worst of the worst.”https://t.co/iJUpm5uAYZ

— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) July 5, 2025

Among those arrested were 17 homicide suspects and 95 known gang members, according to federal officials involved in the operation. Many of the individuals had long criminal histories, with officials reporting a total of 2,625 prior arrests, or roughly 10 per suspect. (RELATED: Police Arrest Man Who Allegedly Shot Up San Antonio ICE Office)

🚨 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

At least two of those arrested were in the U.S. illegally, law enforcement sources told local media.

Lorenzo Benitez, a 54-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was apprehended on June 4 in Plainfield, New Jersey, and is now facing multiple sexual assault charges stemming from incidents in Keansburg, NJ.

Also arrested was Darlin Franco-Guzman, a 25-year-old illegal Honduran national wanted in Baltimore County, Maryland, for burglary and the attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. He was taken into custody on June 10 in Trenton, officials said.

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

The dragnet also netted suspects wanted for kidnapping, murder, and sexual assault of senior citizens and minors. One such suspect, Stephen Bullock, 32, was captured on June 13 and charged with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 76-year-old woman in Camden County.

Shawn Davis, 38, was arrested in Brooklyn for a 2024 homicide in Trenton, while Luis Duval-Jimenez, 31, was wanted for allegedly running over a police officer in South Brunswick in May.

On June 19, Trasuf Bennett, 20, and an unidentified juvenile were arrested for a drive-by shooting that killed a 20-year-old man in Millville, NJ.

Authorities also apprehended Francisco Ruiz, 67, in Bayonne on June 20. Ruiz was wanted on multiple charges, including sexual assault by contact, terroristic threats, criminal restraint, and endangering the welfare of a child, officials confirmed.

The sweeping operation also yielded the seizure of 14 illegal firearms, law enforcement reported.

Operation Apex Hammer is one of the largest regional fugitive sweeps in recent years, focusing on the “worst of the worst,” according to officials.