Incident:2025-06-05 Loma CO Coordinated Traffic Stop and ICE Arrest
| Date | 2025-06-05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | ||
| City | Loma | |
| County | Mesa County | |
| State | Colorado | |
| Country | United States | |
| Location details | Interstate 70 near Loma, west of Grand Junction | |
| Facility | ||
| Agencies involved | Mesa County Sheriff’s Office; ICE | |
| Operation type | Traffic stop leading to immigration arrest | |
| Status | Verified (state filings and media documentation) | |
| People affected | One civilian motorist (identity anonymised) | |
| Arrests reported | 1 | |
| Detentions reported | 1 | |
| Deportations | Unknown | |
| Injuries | None reported | |
| Deaths | 0 | |
| Agents at the scene | Alexander Zwinck | |
| Vehicles at the scene | Mesa County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle; ICE unmarked vehicle | |
| Verification | Colorado AG filings; Colorado Sun investigation; AP confirmation | |
| Key sources | * [[Colorado AG drops lawsuit after deputy resigns over ICE coordination case]] | |
| Additional information | {{{additional_info}}} |
Incident:2025-06-05 Loma CO Coordinated Traffic Stop and ICE Arrest
Summary: On June 5 2025, a Mesa County deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 70 and shared the civilian driver’s information—including photos of their vehicle and driver’s license—with ICE agents through an encrypted group chat. Minutes after the deputy released the individual, an ICE vehicle stopped them again and made an arrest. The incident prompted the Colorado Attorney General to file a lawsuit against Deputy Alexander Zwinck for violating state law that bars cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement.
Full description
During a traffic stop near Loma, Deputy Alexander Zwinck photographed the driver’s vehicle and license and immediately shared the images in an encrypted chat used by multiple ICE agents working along the Western Slope. According to state filings, Zwinck messaged that “ICE was interested” and coordinated the encounter.
After issuing no citation and releasing the driver, Zwinck left the scene. Less than a mile away, an ICE vehicle pulled the civilian over and placed them under arrest. The individual was transported for immigration processing.
Colorado’s statutes explicitly prohibit state and local law enforcement from assisting civil immigration enforcement. The Attorney General described Zwinck’s actions as an unlawful collaboration that placed the civilian at risk and violated state policy. The ICE agents involved were not publicly identified.
The driver later stated that they believed the two stops were coordinated and that the deputy had set them up for detention.
Agencies and units involved
- Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
- ICE (agents unnamed)
Agents
Timeline
- **2025-06-05** — Deputy Zwinck conducts traffic stop near Loma; ICE arrest follows minutes later.
- **2025-07–08** — Colorado AG files lawsuit against Zwinck for unlawful immigration enforcement assistance.
- **2025-09-02** — Zwinck resigns; lawsuit dismissed after departure.
Sources
- Colorado Sun — “Phil Weiser drops lawsuit against deputy Alexander Zwinck after his resignation”
- Associated Press — coverage of AG filings and state investigation
Notes
- [[Colorado AG drops lawsuit after deputy resigns over ICE coordination case]]