Hempstead pizza delivery man arrested for criminal reasons, say cops

The Hempstead man, whose immigration status has become a well-known cause among immigration activists after he was arrested for delivering a pizza to Fort Hamilton In Brooklyn in June, was arrested again this weekend and charged with a domestic incident, Hempstead police said Monday.

Pablo Villavicencio, aged 35 and married with two children, whose government said he had illegally entered the United States in 2008, was the subject of controversy this summer. when he was arrested while he was delivering a pizza at the Brooklyn Military Base.

Lieutenant Derek Warner said Villavicencio, was brought to trial on Saturday for a charge of criminal mischief, resulting from a domestic incident, but declined to provide details.

Earlier this year, after spending more than 50 days in detention, a federal judge ordered the release of Villavicencio and his deportation of Hempstead's father, who illegally entered the United States ten years ago.

Villavicencio, whose case has become a well-known cause among immigration activists after he was arrested for delivering a pizza to Fort Hamilton in June, should be released and allowed to stay in the United States while seeking to obtain legal resident status in the United States, said US District Judge Paul Crotty.

"Although he was illegally in the United States, he is also a model citizen," wrote Crotty. "He now has two children, both American citizens. He does not have a criminal history. He paid his taxes. And he worked diligently to support his family. "

After his release in June, Villavicencia and his wife, Sandra Chica, each carrying one of their sleeping daughters, arrived at their home in Hempstead. "Thank God for giving me the opportunity to live for my daughters and my wife," he said, highlighting his 53-day stay at the New Jersey Immigration Center. .

At the time, Villavicencio had stated that he did not know he would return to work at the restaurant for which he was delivering pizzas when he was arrested. "I do not know what will happen tomorrow," he said then.

"I love this country," he said in front of his home. "It's the best country in the world".

Villavicencio, who reportedly crossed the US border illegally in 2008 and ignored a voluntary departure agreement in 2010, was arrested after the Fort Hamilton guards carried out a background check. He has since been detained in an immigration and customs control center in Kearny, New Jersey.

He had been the subject of a removal order since 2010, but had started the process of seeking legalization of his status in February, and Crotty had stated that he had the right to stay with his family while he was pursuing him.

"The expulsion of the applicant by the government would be contrary to this right," wrote the judge.

The difficult situation of the pizza man had attracted the sympathy of several well-known politicians and Democrats, including Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand ( DN.Y.).

After the release order, lawyers from the Villavicencio Legal Aid Society described the victory as "law, humanity and morality" and used it as a platform to attack President Donald Trump.

"This decision should serve as a reproach to the Trump administration and its ruthless crusade to tear families apart," said Adriene Holder, a civil lawyer. "Today, we also say that the courts can always serve as a check on the executive when it violates our laws and principles."