A Mesa County sheriff’s deputy who disclosed information to federal officials about a Utah college student he stopped, resulting in her arrest by immigration authorities, has been placed on administrative leave.
Investigator Alexander Zwinck pulled over 19-year-old Caroline Dias Goncalves on June 5 on Interstate 70 near Loma for tailgating a tractor-trailer, as reported by the sheriff’s office.
Although Zwinck only issued a warning to Dias Goncalves, he shared details of the traffic stop in a Signal group chat used by local and federal law enforcement for combating drug trafficking.
Shortly after, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents apprehended Dias Goncalves in Grand Junction and transferred her to the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, where she has been held for two weeks.
Originally from Brazil, Dias Goncalves arrived in the U.S. with her family at the age of 7 and overstayed a tourist visa. She currently has a pending asylum application, as per the Salt Lake Tribune.
An immigration judge granted bail in Dias Goncalves’ case, and her attorney anticipates her release in the near future.
Zwinck was placed on leave as the sheriff’s office conducts an inquiry into the matter, citing Colorado law that prohibits local law enforcement from engaging in civil immigration enforcement.
Mesa County authorities are examining conversations in the Signal group chat to verify compliance with agency protocol and state regulations.
“This includes assessing whether Mesa County Sheriff’s Office personnel were informed about the utilization of shared information for immigration enforcement alongside drug interdiction efforts,” stated the sheriff’s office.
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