Delaney Hall Escape Ends with Arrest in Los Angeles
The final fugitive involved in the Delaney Hall escape has been captured by federal authorities, bringing an end to the high-profile manhunt that began in New Jersey last month.
Andres Felipe Pineda Mogollon, 25, a Colombian national, was arrested this week during a traffic stop in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, according to the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. The arrest concludes a nationwide search after Mogollon and three others escaped from the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark on June 12.
Charged with Federal Escape Offense
Mogollon is now charged with escape from federal custody, the Department of Justice confirmed. He was already facing criminal charges stemming from two prior arrests earlier this year — one for petit larceny in New York City, and another in New Jersey for residential burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and possession of burglary tools.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Mogollon had overstayed a tourist visa and was illegally in the U.S. at the time of his detention.
How the Delaney Hall Escape Happened
The Delaney Hall escape occurred on June 12, when four detainees breached the facility by breaking through a section of interior drywall reinforced only with mesh. They exited through an exterior wall and into the parking lot, according to Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), who was briefed by officials from ICE and the facility’s administrators.
While Sen. Kim linked the breakout to tensions over food access, DHS later disputed those claims, stating, “There has been no widespread unrest at Delaney Hall.”
Three Others Were Captured Earlier
The other three escapees — Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, and Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes — were all recaptured within one week of the escape. Mogollon’s flight across the country made him the last fugitive at large.
All four men were described by DHS as “public safety threats.”
AI Manipulation: What My Failed Podcast Taught Me About Trust and Transparency
Security Concerns at Private ICE Facilities
The escape has drawn intense criticism over the use of private detention centers by federal immigration agencies. Delaney Hall, which is contracted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is operated by a private corrections company.
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are now calling for independent audits of similar facilities, citing inadequate infrastructure, lax security, and poor oversight as contributing factors in the Delaney Hall escape.
Sen. Kim emphasized the need for federal intervention, suggesting the facility’s structural vulnerabilities were a serious concern:
“Drywall and mesh? That’s not what should be separating dangerous detainees from the public.”
What Happens Next
Mogollon remains in federal custody. He will face prosecution for his escape, followed by potential deportation proceedings. Federal authorities have not confirmed whether he received help during his flight or whether additional charges are forthcoming.
The FBI, ICE, and DHS all state that the investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks.
