The chief of police in Old Orchard Beach, a popular resort town in Maine, is calling for an investigation following the arrest of one of her officers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The officer, Jon Luke Evans of Jamaica, was taken into custody on July 25 for allegedly overstaying his visa and unlawfully attempting to purchase a firearm.
ICE stated Monday that Evans legally entered the United States in September 2023 but violated the terms of his visa by failing to depart the country in October as scheduled. According to the agency, Evans admitted he had tried to purchase a firearm for his job as a police officer, triggering a federal alert and his subsequent arrest.
However, Old Orchard Beach Police Chief Elise Chard disputes the account, stating that in May 2024, the Department of Homeland Security verified that Evans was authorized to work in the U.S., and that his employment authorization was valid through 2030. Chard said the department was never formally notified of Evans’ detention and only learned of the case through ICE’s news release.
Chard said the department had followed all required steps before hiring Evans, including a background check, medical and physical screenings, and standard training. She emphasized that Maine is among roughly a dozen U.S. states that allow non-citizens to work in law enforcement under certain conditions, particularly in part-time or seasonal roles.
“The department is distressed and deeply concerned about this [apparent] error on the part of the federal government,” Chard said, adding that both an internal review and a broader investigation are underway to assess how the situation occurred and to ensure future compliance.
ICE officials allege that the department knowingly employed someone in violation of immigration law. “We have a police department that was knowingly breaking the very law they are charged with enforcing,” said Patricia H. Hyde, acting field office director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston.
As of Tuesday, Evans’ legal representation and current status remained unclear. Neither ICE nor the Old Orchard Beach Police Department provided further updates on the case.
Old Orchard Beach is a seasonal town that significantly increases its police staffing during the summer to accommodate a large influx of tourists. Officers like Evans typically perform duties such as community outreach and beach patrols.
