Illegal Immigrant Police Officer Arrested in Maine
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken an illegal immigrant, who was working as a police officer in Maine, into custody. This follows his alleged attempt to purchase a firearm illegally, as announced on Monday.
John Luke Evans, a Jamaican national, was arrested with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after trying to buy a gun in Biddeford on July 25th.
At the time of his arrest, Evans was serving as a reserve officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Station.
According to authorities, Evans mentioned he attempted to buy a gun for his duties as a police officer, which triggered concern and led to ATF involvement.
Interestingly, Evans entered the U.S. legally on September 24, 2023, through Miami International Airport in Florida, but he didn’t leave by his scheduled date of October 1, 2023—so, he overstayed his visa.
The Old Orchard Beach Police Department stated that they hired Evans as a seasonal officer in May, claiming he underwent full background checks, physical and medical screenings, and received law enforcement training.
They further noted that they submitted his employment documents to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) using the federal e-verify system, which confirmed his eligibility. However, his work permit allegedly expires in March 2030, even though the New York Post has reported discrepancies.
Police Chief Elise Chard expressed deep concern over what she deemed a significant error by the federal government, stating, “Our department and our community relied on the Department of Homeland Security’s e-verify program to ensure we were fulfilling our duties.”
Maine is one of about 12 states that allows non-citizens to work in law enforcement provided they possess a valid work permit. As a reserve officer, Evans participated in community patrols but did not carry department-issued firearms home, according to the report.
The police department has started an internal investigation into its employment protocols, with Chief Chard emphasizing the seriousness of legal responsibility. “We will investigate this issue thoroughly and determine what additional steps need to be taken,” she noted.
Interestingly, ICE pointed out another recent incident involving a Congolese national, Gratien Milandou Wamba, who was similarly arrested for immigration violations after attempting to purchase a firearm while working as an immigration officer.
