Case: United States v. Baraka

2:25-mj-11131 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Filed Date: May 9, 2025

Closed Date: May 21, 2025

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

 On May 9, 2025, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), under the second Trump administration, filed charges against the Mayor of Newark in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.  Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on May 9th outside the Delaney Hall detention center, a newly reopened facility. He was part of a group of politicians and activists protesting its opening, claiming it lacked proper city permits. During Mayor Barka's arrest, U.S. Representative LaMonica …

 On May 9, 2025, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), under the second Trump administration, filed charges against the Mayor of Newark in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.  Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on May 9th outside the Delaney Hall detention center, a newly reopened facility. He was part of a group of politicians and activists protesting its opening, claiming it lacked proper city permits. During Mayor Barka's arrest, U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver allegedly pushed an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent. She was subsequently arrested, and the governments brought charges against her as well. (You can read about the charges brought against Representative McIver here.)

The mayor was released on a bail of $0 on May 9, 2025. The court granted the government’s request to cancel a preliminary hearing and ordered a status conference to be set for May 15, 2025. During the status conference, the government proposed that the charges be dismissed. The court gave leave for the filing of dismissal and the charges were dismissed with prejudice on May 21, 2025.

 

 

Summary Authors

Jinan Abufarha (6/23/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70242180/parties/united-states-v-baraka/


Attorney for Plaintiff

DEMANOVICH, STEPHEN (New Jersey)

GRACE, DESIREE LEIGH (New Jersey)

Attorney for Defendant

AGARWAL, RAHUL (New Jersey)

AKIN, WANDA M. (New Jersey)

BROWN, RAYMOND M. (New Jersey)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:25-mj-11131

Criminal Complaint

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Complaint
14

2:25-mj-11131

Order for Dismissal

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70242180/united-states-v-baraka/

Last updated July 18, 2025, 11:32 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT as to RAS BARAKA (1). (jd, ) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa:Initial Appearance as to RAS BARAKA held on 5/9/2025. Appearances entered by counsel, Defendant advised of rights. Brady Order read on the record, Preliminary hearing scheduled for 5/15/2025. (jd, ) (Main Document 2 replaced on 5/13/2025) (jd, ). (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

PACER
3

Appearance Bond; Bond Entered as to RAS BARAKA in amount of $ 0. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

RECAP
4

ORDER Setting Conditions of Release (Finance notified). Defendant Order released after processing. Signed by Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on 5/9/2025. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

RECAP
5

LETTER ORDER Scheduling a virtual hearing via Teams in this matter on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM as to RAS BARAKA. All Counsel and the Defendant shall appear. Signed by Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on 5/9/2025. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

RECAP
10

ORDER advising of the United States' continuing obligation to produce all exculpatory evidence to the defendant pursuant to Brady v. Maryland. Signed by Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on 5/9/2025. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

PACER
9

Transcript of Initial Appearance and Bail Hearing as to RAS BARAKA held on May 9, 2025, before Judge Andre M. Espinosa. Transcriber: King Transcription Services (973-237-6080). Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Transcriber only. (and) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

PACER
6

Substitution of Attorney - Attorney STEPHEN DEMANOVICH for USA added. Attorney DESIREE LEIGH GRACE terminated. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

RECAP
7

Letter from the Government requesting that the Court cancel the preliminary hearing scheduled in this matter, and schedule this matter for trial at an appropriate time. (jd, ) Modified on 5/13/2025 (jd, ). (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

RECAP
8

ORDER granting the Government's 7 Letter Motion to Vacate a preliminary hearing in this action as to RAS BARAKA (1). The Court will hold a status conference in this action on May 15, 2025, at 10:00 am, in Courtroom 2D of the Martin Luther King Courthouse, in Newark, at which all counsel shall appear. Signed by Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on 5/13/2025. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

RECAP

Set Hearing as to RAS BARAKA: Status Conference set for May 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Newark - Courtroom 2D before Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa. (jd, )

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

PACER

Set/Reset Hearings

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

PACER
11

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa:Status Conference as to RAS BARAKA held on 5/15/2025. Status conference held to address procedural, scheduling, and discovery regarding this matter. The parties were directed to meet and confer to prepare a proposed order that will set the schedule for future proceedings. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

RECAP
12

TEXT ORDER - The Court is in receipt of the Government's proposed order for dismissal in this matter and will hold a virtual hearing via Teams on May 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The parties shall join the call by using Meeting ID: 215 585 939 249 and Passcode: M8Wo6LZ7. All Counsel must be present at the time. All attendees are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of Court proceedings (including those held by telephone or video conference). So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on 5/20/2025. (jd, ) Modified on 5/21/2025 (jd, ). Modified on 5/21/2025 (jd, ). (Entered: 05/20/2025)

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

PACER

Text Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

PACER
13

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa:Hearing held on 5/21/2025, on the Government's proposed Order for dismissal in this matter. Appearances of Counsel entered in the record. The Court entered a final remark regarding this matter and granted the request for dismissal. An Order of dismissal shall follow. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

RECAP
14

ORDER OF DISMISSAL with Prejudice as to RAS BARAKA (USM notified). Signed by Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on 5/21/2025. (jd, ) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Clearinghouse
15

Transcript of Motion to Dismiss as to RAS BARAKA held on May 21, 2025, before Judge Andre M. Espinosa. Transcriber: King Transcription Services ((973)237-6080). Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Transcriber only. (and) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

PACER
16

Transcript of Status Conference as to RAS BARAKA held on May 15, 2025, before Judge Andre M. Espinosa. Transcriber: King Transcription Services (973-237-6080). Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Transcriber only. (and) (Entered: 06/02/2025)

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

PACER

Case Details