Two former court clerks in Utah have been accused of helping illegal aliens evade immigration officers waiting to arrest them, leading to a federal criminal case. Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, both from Logan, Utah, were arrested earlier this month and face multiple federal charges.
Incident at Logan City Municipal Justice Court
The incident occurred on April 9 at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court. An ICE officer arrived to arrest an illegal alien attending a court hearing. The officer held an administrative warrant and waited outside in his vehicle to make the arrest after the individual left the building.
Actions of the Clerks
Upon learning of ICE's presence, Joma and Morrow identified the target. They used court records to check the immigration status of individuals scheduled for court that day. After identifying several non-US citizens, they intercepted them before they could exit through the main entrance. The clerks then escorted them through secure areas, down corridors, and out a rear exit, allowing them to leave unseen by ICE officers.
Surveillance footage captured the women making an obscene gesture and smiling at the camera after helping one individual escape through the back door. During a second trip, Joma drove away from the courthouse with three illegal aliens in her vehicle before returning alone to continue her shift.
Charges and Court Appearance
Joma and Morrow each face charges of conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before federal departments and agencies. Joma faces an additional charge of transporting illegal aliens. Their first court appearance was scheduled for June 11.
