U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested a Jamaican national, Jon Luke Evans, who was illegally residing in the U.S. while serving as a reserve police officer in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. According to ICE, Evans attempted to unlawfully purchase a firearm for his law enforcement duties, triggering a federal investigation.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), arrested on July 25. Authorities say Evans entered the U.S. legally on September 24, 2023, but violated the terms of his visa by overstaying after failing to leave as scheduled on October 1.
“Jon Luke Evans not only broke U.S. immigration law, but he also illegally attempted to purchase a firearm,” said Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director for ICE ERO Boston. “It is shocking and troubling that a police department hired an illegal alien and equipped him with a firearm. This undermines the integrity of law enforcement and public safety.”
ATF agents were alerted during the background check process for the firearm purchase and coordinated with ICE for the arrest.
This incident echoes a similar case from April, when ICE officers in Falmouth arrested Gratien Milandou Wamba, a Congolese national working as a corrections officer, after he too allegedly tried to illegally buy a firearm.
Both cases have raised serious concerns over background check failures in law enforcement hiring processes.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity or immigration violations by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE or submitting tips online.