A 27-year-old man from Chester, facing attempted murder charges in Ridley Township, has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Authorities confirmed that Christopher L. Bailey was detained on March 16 at the Ridley Township court building, where he had appeared for a preliminary hearing related to multiple charges filed in January. These charges include attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving.
Court records indicate that Bailey was previously arraigned on February 8, with bail set at $50,000 at 10%, allowing his release after a partial payment of $500. The bond was posted by his brother, a Philadelphia police officer. ICE stated that his release occurred without notification to federal immigration authorities.
According to ICE, Bailey is accused of nearly striking two pedestrians before allegedly pursuing them into a parking lot. Investigators claim he attempted to hit them again with his vehicle, engaged in a confrontation, and then reportedly used a knife during the incident. Authorities further allege that he ran over one of the victims before fleeing the scene.
ICE officials also reported that Bailey entered the United States in 2009 on a tourist visa and remained beyond its authorized period. They noted a prior firearms-related conviction in New York and stated that an immigration judge released him in 2023.
Bailey’s attorney, James H. Bonner, disputed the allegations, calling the account shared by ICE inaccurate. He emphasized that the events have been misrepresented and expressed confidence that the full details will emerge during court proceedings.
Bailey will remain in ICE custody as removal proceedings move forward, pending further legal action from local authorities.