U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the Washington City Police Department, executed a search warrant on May 14 in Washington City, Utah. The operation targeted possession of false documents and illegal drugs at several residences.
Nineteen individuals were taken into custody during the operation. Among them were six illegal aliens with final orders of removal, two with expedited removal orders, five with voluntary departures, and three who received notices to appear before an immigration judge. Additionally, an illegal alien from Mexico faces charges of identity theft and forgery, while another from Guatemala has prior removal from the U.S. and current charges for similar offenses.
“By leveraging the assets of federal and local law enforcement, we will continue to successfully fulfill our mission of ensuring public safety and national security,” stated ICE Homeland Security Investigations Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes, Jr. “Our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners will ultimately result in safer neighborhoods and stronger communities.”
The search led to arrests for federal crimes such as illegal presence in the U.S., illegal reentry after a prior order of removal, state charges related to forgery and identity theft, and one state arrest warrant for drug-related charges.
The primary focus was a large home subdivided into cramped living spaces housing many adults under unsafe conditions. Local law enforcement had previously identified this location as problematic due to numerous police contacts over the years related to domestic violence shootings, drug calls, and noise complaints.
This investigation involved HSI St. George alongside multiple agencies including Enforcement and Removal Operations in St. George, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. George Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. All individuals arrested remain in ICE custody pending criminal or removal proceedings.
For further details, visit ICE.gov or follow HSI Las Vegas on X at @HSILasVegas.
