INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — At least eight people were arrested on state charges and two dozen detained in an ongoing, joint operation Thursday targeting undocumented immigrants wanted for criminal offenses throughout the county, sheriff’s officials said. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office partnered with federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol to place the individuals in custody.
“We remain committed to safeguarding our community and today’s operation is a testament of our strong partnership with federal law enforcement agencies,” Sheriff Eric Flowers said in a statement on Thursday. “Our goal remains clear – to keep Indian River County safe by identifying and detaining those engaged in criminal activity. Our operations only target those that are engaged in criminal activity.”
The bust comes as Gov. DeSantis held press conferences around the state this week announcing a renewed focus on immigration violators.
The sheriff’s office conducted the sting as part of Operation Stonegarden, which the agency has been enforcing since 2016. Operation Stonegarden operates under the 287(g) agreement, which allows state and local agencies to act as immigration enforcement agents.
The people taken into custody were all adults and there were no children involved, said Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
The individuals booked into the county jail had state, criminal traffic violations, including no valid driver’s license, knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked and giving a false ID to a law enforcement officer, records show. Other detainees were sent over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Sheriff’s officials said one of the detainees had been deported four times. Deputies said one detainee had previous charges for sex offenses and another had charges for the criminal use of personal identification information.
Several programs help Immigration and Customs Enforcement focus and improve on priorities to find and remove undocumented immigrants who are criminals, fugitives or recent arrivals, according to the Homeland Security website. The investigation in Indian River County remains ongoing.
“The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with ICE, Border Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies to help ensure the safety of our law-abiding residents and protect our community,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
