Illegal immigrant caught working as police officer in Maine while attempting to buy firearm

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers recently made an arrest that raised serious concerns about immigration status and public safety. Jon Luke Evans, a Jamaican national, was taken into custody for allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm illegally while employed as a reserve police officer in Old Orchard Beach.

Evans legally entered the United States but failed to leave as required, remaining in the country unlawfully. During the investigation, he claimed he needed the firearm for his role with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, raising questions about how an individual without lawful immigration status was hired by a local police agency and potentially issued a department-issued weapon.

The Old Orchard Beach Police Department stated that Evans underwent a thorough background check, physical and medical screening, and law enforcement training. His employment documents were submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the E-Verify system, which confirmed his eligibility to work. However, there seems to have been an error on the part of the federal government regarding Evans’ immigration status.

Maine allows non-citizens with valid work permits to serve in law enforcement, and reserve officers in Old Orchard Beach do not carry department-issued firearms home or personal weapons while on duty. Evans’ probationary status is under review, and the department has launched an internal investigation to assess its hiring protocols and ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

This arrest follows a similar case in April involving another illegal immigrant law enforcement employee in Falmouth, Maine. Gratien Milandou Wamba, a Congolese national working as a corrections officer, was apprehended by ICE for immigration violations after allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm illegally.

ICE will continue enforcement efforts in New England, collaborating with federal agencies to identify and apprehend individuals violating US immigration laws, particularly those employed in sensitive public safety positions. This case underscores the importance of thorough background checks and compliance with immigration regulations in law enforcement hiring practices.