ICE partnership program aids in apprehension of criminal aliens following high-speed chase in Frederick County

FREDERICK, MD – A successful collaboration between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office through the 287(g) Program ensured that two criminal aliens were properly identified and detained following a high-speed pursuit and drug seizure.

“This case is a clear example of how collaboration with local jurisdictions enhances public safety by ensuring that dangerous individuals are properly identified and not released back into our communities,” said ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. “Our partnership with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office is critical in prioritizing the removal of the most egregious offenders. Sheriff Chuck Jenkins has been involved in with the 287(g) Program since its inception, demonstrating exemplary law enforcement leadership through his partnership and commitment to community safety. Without these partnerships, criminal aliens could easily disappear before facing justice, putting the public at further risk. ICE remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to uphold the rule of law and protect our communities from those who engage in criminal activity.”

At approximately 9:20 PM, Feb. 20, Deputy First Class Roush of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office was on patrol near Route 85 and Grove Road when he observed a white Nissan van behaving suspiciously. The van attempted to evade police by turning onto a gravel path behind an area shopping center. Upon running the vehicle's tags, DFC Roush received a stolen vehicle alert and initiated a pursuit with assistance from other responding deputies.

After refusing to stop, the suspect accelerated onto I-270 northbound at speeds reaching 100 mph. The pursuit continued through Frederick and Montgomery counties. During the pursuit, Maryland State Police Aviation was requested to assist. As the suspects continued toward Shady Grove Road and Briardale Road, the driver intentionally rammed a vehicle at a red light before continuing to flee. At this point, FCSO ended the pursuit while Maryland State Police Trooper 3 maintained aerial surveillance. With the assistance from Montgomery County Police Department, officers apprehended four suspects at a Sheetz located at 751 Progress Way.

FCSO Deputies responded to the scene and conducted a search of the suspect’s vehicle. Deputies recovered crack cocaine, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia inside the van. The driver of the vehicle was also found by MCPD officers inside the Sheetz attempting to dispose of narcotics in a restroom.

The stolen van, found with significant front-end damage, had rammed a vehicle with three occupants inside. Two of the victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

All four suspects were arrested and transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center central booking.

“Two of the four suspects taken into custody were found to be in the United States illegally through our 287(g) Program during the central booking process. Those same two suspects were released on personal recognizance on initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. These two individuals are being held as removable criminal aliens only because ICE detainers were placed on them by 287(g)-trained correctional officers. Without those detainers, they would have been released immediately, potentially returning to criminal activity or disappearing before trial,” said Sheriff Jenkins, “This is yet another example of the importance of the 287(g) Program to local public safety in protecting our community. I can’t emphasize strongly enough; just how effective and valuable the 287(g) Program is now and has been over the sixteen-year partnership. I really hope the public thinks about this example involving these criminal acts and realizes the importance of the program.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recognizes the importance of its relationships with state and local law enforcement partners. ICE will continue to share information and coordinate operations with those partners in a way that best serves local needs and fulfills ICE’s important national security and public safety mission. In recent years, state and local law enforcement cooperation with ICE has decreased with some jurisdictions electing to minimally cooperate while some jurisdictions ceased to cooperate altogether.

As a result, the 287(g) Program – through the delegation of some immigration officer duties – allows ICE to cooperate with its state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of aliens who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws. While the 287(g) Program has yielded successes, ICE recognizes the program is not universally regarded as the most effective or appropriate model in every jurisdiction. Accordingly, ICE maintains its authority to utilize 287(g) agreements and exercise strict oversight. ICE continually evaluates the overall effectiveness of the program.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our Baltimore communities on X at @EROBaltimore.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)