EDITOR’S NOTE: In the first version of this developing story, it was reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted this operation. Further reporting discovered the operation was actually conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The original story, references, and headline have been corrected to reflect that updated information.
MOUNT VERNON — Initial reports regarding an incident at Panchos Tacos on Thursday originally indicated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed and detained several employees.
On Friday, Mount Vernon city officials learned that the federal Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the operation.
According to a statement from the city, city officials learned of HSI’s involvement after contacting Congressman Troy Balderson, Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Detroit Office of Homeland Security Investigations.
The release states HSI told the City of Mount Vernon that the action was based on a tip related to the employment of undocumented immigrants.
Neither the City of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Police Department, Knox County Prosecutor’s Office, nor the Knox County Sheriff’s Office received advance notice of the operation.
Panchos Tacos announced on Facebook Friday morning it will be closed temporarily until further notice.
More on the oct. 9 Ice operation
Building owner Tim Carper said federal officials detained and removed several employees before the restaurant opened.
He also said the Knox County Sheriff’s Office was present.
Knox County Sheriff Dan Weckesser said he first knew about the operation late Thursday afternoon.
“One of the detectives let me know that, and I believe it was kind of tentative as well,” Weckesser said.
Weckesser said he could not answer why government officials did not notify the city or the Mount Vernon Police Department before conducting the operation.
However, he is trying to find out who is in charge of the Knox County area so that he has a direct contact to federal officials.
“I want to set up a meeting with them, discuss things and find out what the plan is moving forward for Knox County,” he said.
The role of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office
The KCSO did not play a role in the removal or detention of any Panchos Tacos employees, according to Weckesser.
“My understanding was that they didn’t need anything from us, other than to potentially go out and pick up scooters or whatever. We ended up not doing that,” Weckesser said.
According to Weckesser, the owner or general manager of Panchos Tacos purchased the scooters for employees to get to work.
He said other individuals from Panchos Tacos handled the scooters after the operation.
Weckesser said the only reason the sheriff’s office was on the scene was to assist with an issue regarding the general manager, who Weckesser said is a natural-born citizen.
“He [the general manager] tried to impede their operation,” Weckesser said.
According to Weckesser, a detective went to the scene and spoke with the general manager during the operation.
“The detective told him that we’re not part of this operation. [The detective said] if you guys want some kind of charges on him [an HSI agent], you need to do it through [them].”
Weckesser said he was unaware whether the KCSO detective entered the building during the operation.
Alleged injuries
According to Carper, one Panchos Tacos worker sustained an injury. However, Weckesser was not aware of any injuries that occurred during or after the operation.
“Nobody’s told me about any injuries whatsoever,” Weckesser said.
“I do know that the Mount Vernon Police Department was out there later in the afternoon on something that may have taken place at like three o’clock in the afternoon or maybe even later. I don’t know what that was about; I haven’t had a chance to look at the reports this morning.”
Prosecutor Chip McConville weighs in
Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville noted that this situation does not fall under the state’s purview; rather, it is in federal hands.
“The important thing to realize here is, if you’re looking at immigration-related offenses, all of that is federal jurisdiction,” McConville said.
We don’t have any say in that there are no offenses on the books related to immigration at the state level.
Knox COunty Prosecutor Chip mcconville
According to McConville, the federal government doesn’t have an obligation to notify any local entity about an operation.
“They don’t. They’ve got their own sphere, they’ve got their own jurisdiction to do what they’re doing. Generally, they will notify local law enforcement as a courtesy, but they’re not obligated,” McConville said.
McConville also noted that some jails in Ohio have agreements with the federal government to hold detainees. Knox County’s jail does not have one of those agreements.
“The only way somebody would be in our jail with an [HSI] holder on them would be if they have some pending local charge,” McConville said.
He said that if HSI requests local law enforcement to hold an individual, HSI has 48 hours to assume custody once local charges are resolved.
McConville confirmed that none of the individuals detained by HSI on Thursday have any local charges.
According to the city’s statement, “HSI has classified this matter as an ongoing criminal investigation.”