Statement
Statement from Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation Director Ben Stevenson on ICE Arrest Announcement
For Immediate Release: Tuesday 27 May
On May 15, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a press release regarding the arrest of an individual with a previous felony conviction and known gang affiliation. After reviewing the circumstances of this case, we have determined that there was an error on our end regarding the receipt and processing of this ICE detainer request.
By our policy under Executive Order 135-19, the Montgomery County Department of Correction & Rehabilitation (DOCR) should have notified ICE prior to this individual's release. This individual met the criteria we use to notify and coordinate with ICE due to a prior felony conviction and validated gang membership in the DOCR records. We failed to make this notification. We take full responsibility for this error.
Last week, after consultation with the County Executive’s Office, we conducted a thorough internal review and identified corrective actions. Those actions include a streamlined single point of notification, training, additional layers of oversight and more stringent recording processes.
DOCR and the County Executive’s Office met with ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations Baltimore leadership to discuss those changes and request their support in streamlining the process of detainer notification. We believe these steps will address future miscommunications and expedite the effective receipt, processing, tracking and review of ICE detainer requests to our correctional facility.
Montgomery County has stated consistently that we cooperate with ICE in cases involving individuals convicted of violent crimes, verified gang members, drug distributors & traffickers and other felony convictions. That policy remains in place.
We remain committed to balancing community trust with all our residents and promoting public safety.
# # #
Release ID: 25-011