‘That’s thuggery’; Millcreek mayor demands investigation into ICE agents after traffic stop

MILLCREEK — After a traffic stop by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Salt Lake County, online controversy boiled all over Utah. On Tuesday, the Unified Police Department spoke out, detailing the event.

Now, Millcreek mayor Jeff Silvestrini is bluntly urging federal officials to take action. He said ICE responded, vowing to perform an investigation.

“I realize they have a difficult job, I’m supportive of their efforts to detain and deport violent criminals and convicted felons who are in our country without documentation or status,” he said, “but I draw the line at efforts that violate American civil rights or unnecessarily burden my city.”

The traffic stop, which occurred near 4900 S. 900 East, bordered both Murray and Millcreek, prompting responses from both Unified and Murray police. Before they arrived, ICE agents had stopped a driver, saying he honked and swerved towards them.

A UPD investigation later revealed “inaccuracies and inconsistencies” in the agents’ statements.

A united front: Millcreek, Midvale and Murray

“I think pulling someone over at gunpoint for offending them — that’s thuggery,” Silvestrini said.

Surveillance footage contradicted the agents’ statements, showing the driver there who didn’t appear to swerve or make any moves at the agents when passing. Therefore, the citation he received at the scene for “failing to yield to an emergency vehicle ” was dismissed.

In an email dated Jan. 28, Silvestrini addressed the issue to Jason Knight, the acting field office director for ICE’s Enforcement Removal Operations in Salt Lake City.

“It is telling that two of your three officers declined to sign witness statements and somewhat backed off of their story at the scene,” Silvestrini wrote. “The third officer who did sign the statement possibly committed a Class B misdemeanor in doing so.”

Silvestrini further said ICE “sapped resources from both my city and Murray” for “nothing more than your officers’ ‘thin skin’ in the face of a citizen’s exercise of his right to free speech.”

In a statement, Midvale’s Mayor, Dustin Gettel, who sits on UPD’s Board of Directors and whose city contracts with the police department, also commended the officer’s investigation.

“UPD’s thorough investigation determined that the evidence did not support the claims made, and the citation was appropriately dismissed,” Gettel said. “I encourage all federal agencies to uphold the same standards of accountability and to collaborate closely with local law enforcement.”

Murray police similarly issued a statement:

“Murray City police do not enforce immigration laws but will back immigration officers when necessary.  The City agrees with Mayor Silvestrini’s concern that city resources may have been unnecessarily called on in this particular occurrence,” said Murray Chief Administrative Officer Doug Hill.

Silvestrini said if found to be unethical or frivolous, such actions can negatively impact the community and local businesses.

“There is no place in their role for profiling American citizens and making people fearful to go to Walmart; that’s a concern for me as a mayor and the sales tax it generates for my city,” Silvestrini said.

Silvestrini said he’s also concerned about ICE agents running operations without notifying local police.

“Normally when a federal agency works in a municipality, they would give our department a heads up … it can avoid confusion,” Silvestrini said. “They didn’t do that in this instance.”

Silvestrini said trust is essential for a successful relationship with federal immigration agents, especially since both law enforcement agencies work together.

“They (ICE agents) can’t be making up stories about what happened. That’s what’s really troubling about this matter is my officers want to trust ICE officers and at least in this instance they don’t feel they can,” Silvestrini said.

Silvestrini said he wants to see the agents held accountable.

“I would like ICE to investigate this and discipline these officers if their investigation shows that’s warranted,” Silvestrini said. “I think a message should be sent to all law enforcement that nobody is above the law and nobody has the right to trample the rights of American citizens.”

ICE responds

ICE did not respond to a KSL TV for commentary on Wednesday, but previously issued this statement:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stresses integrity and ethical behavior, and the vast majority of ICE employees perform their duties with professionalism and honor. ICE takes very seriously all allegations of employee misconduct. Any allegations of misconduct are investigated by the appropriate agencies, and any employee who has committed provable misconduct, will be held accountable. ICE takes swift and appropriate action to investigate and cooperate with outside law enforcement agencies when allegations of criminal conduct by an employee are suspected or alleged. ICE is unable to comment any further.

For potential wrongdoing, the public can report crimes, suspicious activity and suspected child exploitation to the ICE tipline:

U.S. and Canada: (866) 347-2423
Other Countries Across the Globe: (802) 872-6199
TTY for hearing impaired only: (802) 872-6196