The placement of immigration agents at Naval Station Great Lakes and the reports of arrests and enforcement in the Chicago area are prompting responses from local police agencies.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office took to social media to call out online misinformation that is apparently circulating. The false message said the sheriff’s office had signed an agreement with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement department. The agreement supposedly called for local officers to hand over people to ICE, either through traffic stops or via the county jail.
In response, the sheriff’s office reminded local residents that its deputies do not enforce federal immigration law.
“To be clear — Illinois law prohibits local law enforcement from holding individuals on ICE detainers or coordinating with ICE on immigration enforcement,” the LCSO said. “The Sheriff’s Office has not signed any agreements with ICE. Our mission remains focused on public safety and serving all members of our community with fairness and respect.”
The city of Waukegan alerted residents that its officers, also bound by the same state law, will not conduct immigration enforcement activities. WPD officers will always be in their official uniforms, and will not wear masks, as many ICE officers do, the department said.
WPD announced earlier this month that it was suspending its stepped-up enforcement of traffic laws so that its efforts would not be confused with immigration enforcement operations.
“Our mission is to protect and serve all residents of Waukegan, and we want our community to be confident that our officers are here for their safety, not for immigration enforcement,” WPD said.
Shooting suspect
A woman was shot in Round Lake Beach and police said that a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody.
RLB police said they responded Tuesday at about 10 p.m. to the 900 block of Clarendon Drive and found the 19-year-old woman outside a parked vehicle with an adult male who was tending to her gunshot wound.
Police said the injury was not life-threatening, and she was brought to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities learned that a male acquaintance shot the woman and fled on foot.
The juvenile was located, questioned and then taken into custody, police said. He was brought to the Depke juvenile facility in Vernon Hills, and is facing several firearms charges. His identity has been withheld since he is a juvenile.
Child porn charges
A Waukegan man is facing possession of child pornography charges following his arrest by sheriff’s detectives.
Thomas Castillo, 65, of the 3300 block of Sunset Avenue, was charged following a search of his residence.
The sheriff’s office said it received a tip from an email provider that an account holder had sent child pornography images via email. Police developed information that led to a search warrant issued for Castillo’s residence. The search was conducted on Sept. 18.
Authorities used dogs to locate electronic devices on which police found illicit images, the sheriff’s office said.
“Our Cybercrime Unit, including Electronic Detection K9 Enzo, is relentless in the search for child predators,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “This year alone, they’ve conducted dozens of investigations that have resulted in the arrests of numerous offenders preying on our children. We will continue doing everything possible to protect our children and our most vulnerable.”
Cops & Bobbers
Round Lake Beach police are hosting a “Cops & Bobbers” youth fishing derby on Oct. 4 from 9-11 a.m.
The event is for youths ages 5-16 and their family members who are invited to the shores of Lakefront Front Park.
Anglers can bring their poles and bait, or get gear at the site. Registration is not required, but participants age 16 and older need a valid fishing license. Prizes will be awarded and Halloween costumes are encouraged.