Illegal immigrant arrested for assault in Ocean County

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Court records show Andres Limon Varela, 36, was arrested Friday in Ocean County and is being held without bail on a charge of attempted criminal bodily injury.

Varela was charged under New Jersey Statute 2C:12-1A(1), which covers knowingly or intentionally attempting to cause bodily injury to another person. Authorities upgraded the charge to a fourth-degree felony.

Court documents show that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also issued an immigration detention order. The detainee, listed under complaint number 397230484, is asking that Varela be held pending federal immigration authorities.

Varela is currently being held in Ocean County without bail on a condition of bail pending further court proceedings. His engagement date is listed as December 6, 2024, but there is no expected release date at this time.

Court records did not provide details about the circumstances of the alleged assault or additional information about Varela’s immigration status.