Lake County Gazette

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) recently addressed its limited ability to assess the immigration status of criminals, citing the Illinois TRUST Act, which prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about an individual’s citizenship or immigration status.

Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told the Lake County Gazette that the department’s hands are tied when it comes to enforcing federal immigration laws.

“The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/1) prohibits law enforcement from inquiring on one’s citizenship or immigration status,” Covelli said in an email. 

Covelli’s comments come amid growing concern over the arrest of two individuals involved in violent crimes in the county in late November.

The first case involves Ricardo Carcamo-Ortega, a 28-year-old man from Waukegan, who was arrested on Thanksgiving Day after a violent domestic dispute in Beach Park. 

LCSO said the incident stemmed from an argument with relatives over the suspect's attempt to drive while intoxicated, during which he also damaged a vehicle and chased family members with the weapon.

Carcamo-Ortega allegedly pulled a box cutter from his pocket, slashing one family member’s arm causing non-life threatening injuries.

When deputies arrived, Carcamo-Ortega fled back inside the residence, triggering a brief foot pursuit. 

Sheriff's noted that he was eventually found in the basement of the home holding a small child, whom deputies quickly rescued before taking Carcamo-Ortega into custody.

Carcamo-Ortega faces multiple charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery and criminal damage to property. A judge denied pre-trial release, ruling that Carcamo-Ortega remains a threat to public safety.

The second arrest occurred just a day earlier, on Nov. 27, when deputies responded to a burglary alarm at a gaming café in Third Lake. 

Gilberto Mojarro-Garcia, 36, was taken into custody after evidence of a break-in led authorities to him. 

Surveillance footage and physical evidence, including blood found at the scene, confirmed Mojarro-Garcia’s involvement in the burglary, according to Sheriff’s.

Mojarro-Garcia, who has no permanent address, is suspected of being involved in other recent burglaries in the area. 

During his arrest, Mojarro-Garcia exhibited aggressive behavior, kicking a squad car door and later kicking one of the officers, resulting in charges of aggravated battery to a peace officer, burglary, and criminal damage to property.

Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate whether Mojarro-Garcia is connected to other recent burglaries in the area.

Despite those suspicions Mojarro-Garcia was released under provisions provided under the SAFE-T Act.

Both arrests have drawn attention to the limitations of law enforcement under the Illinois TRUST Act, which restricts local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities or asking about an individual’s immigration status. 

The Illinois TRUST Act, passed in 2017, designated the state as a sanctuary, offering protections to undocumented immigrants by limiting local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. 

Critics argue the state's sanctuary policies have contributed to an increase in crime, with some estimating that these policies have attracted nearly 700,000 undocumented individuals in recent years, resulting in billions of dollars in taxpayer costs annually.