Wife of Man Arrested by HSI Says He Didn’t Have Weapons, Denies Feeling ‘Rescued’

Martha Patiño, the wife of the man arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Jersey City earlier this month, is disputing a federal official’s statements about the incident and her husband’s background.

In an interview conducted through a HudPost translator, Patiño said that claims made by Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin were false. “He didn’t have any weapons… Not even in Ecuador. I don’t know what weapon they are talking about,” she said.

McLaughlin stated that HSI officers “rescued these children and his wife from this abuser,” referring to Martha’s huband, Xavier. Patiño rejected that characterization, stating she doesn’t feel rescued. “He’s a good father to his kids and works hard. We just got into an argument.”

According to police records, Xavier was arrested by the Jersey City Police Department on September 13 for simple assault related to a domestic violence incident. Patiño acknowledged calling police after a verbal argument escalated. “It was a verbal argument. Things got heated and emotions rose so I called the police,” she said. She emphasized that Xavier never hit her, though “things got rough.” He was released later that week.

Patiño said HSI detained Xavier on September 18 while he was dropping their daughter off at school. “If it wasn’t for my neighbor, they would’ve left my daughter all by herself,” she added, referring to a woman seen in a video of the arrest assisting the child.

She said she has not been in communication with Xavier since the arrest. “I don’t know what’s going on. I know he’s being held in Elizabeth but I do not have representation. And I don’t want to hurt him by going to the detention center.”

When asked about Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea’s statement that he and Tom Zuppa were helping secure legal support, Patiño said, “Yes, they came to my house and gave me a phone number. But I’ve called and I haven’t gotten an answer.”