Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in New Jersey arrested a Honduran national wanted in his home country on a homicide warrant during a targeted enforcement operation in Monmouth County, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal officials said the arrest involved an international fugitive who had no known criminal history in the United States but was wanted abroad on a murder charge dating back several years.
Authorities identified the suspect as Fredy Alexander Lopez Lara, a Honduran national who was taken into custody April 20 near Eatontown, New Jersey, during a vehicle stop conducted by ICE officers.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Lopez Lara is wanted in Honduras on an international homicide warrant first issued in 2020. Federal officials said he unlawfully entered the United States at an unknown date and location.
ICE officials said Lopez Lara remains in federal custody pending removal proceedings.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the case reflects how immigration enforcement can involve fugitives wanted outside the United States in addition to individuals with domestic criminal records.
“This illegal alien is wanted for murder in his home country of Honduras,” Bis said in a statement announcing the arrest.
Federal officials noted that many immigration enforcement statistics focus on arrests involving criminal charges or convictions within the United States and may not include fugitives accused of crimes abroad.
New Jersey has been the subject of ongoing debate over state and local immigration enforcement policies, including limits on certain forms of cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agencies. Federal officials did not indicate whether local agencies were involved in this arrest.
ICE officers conducted the operation without incident, according to authorities.
Lopez Lara’s case is one of several recent federal announcements involving foreign fugitives located in the United States after being wanted in their countries of origin on homicide-related allegations.
Federal officials have not announced a timeline for potential deportation proceedings or whether Honduras has formally requested extradition in the case.
All allegations tied to the Honduran warrant remain subject to judicial proceedings in that country.
