SEYMOUR, Ind. (WISH) — Eleven people were arrested in Jackson County as part of what the FBI called an initiative to remove dangerous “illegal immigrants” who are significant threats to their communities.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Seymour Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office were part of the FBI sting.

The FBI said in a Tuesday news release, “Those arrested had been charged with or convicted of violent crimes including narcotics trafficking, sexual battery, child molesting, domestic violence, strangulation, and possession of numerous illegal weapons. One individual had previously been deported five times.”

The arrests were not part of a large-scale operation but rather focused on people deemed to pose a threat to public safety, the FBI said.

Names of the people taken into custody were provided in the news release, but their individual crimes or any information about them coming to the United States were not included.

Jackson County has 47,400 residents. Seymour, the only city in the county, is about a 70-minute drive south-southeast of downtown Indianapolis.

Statements

“Individuals who are unlawfully in this country and who commit violent crimes pose a serious threat to our communities. Working with our federal and local partners and removing these individuals from our neighborhoods protects Hoosier families and reinforces our shared commitment to uphold the law.”

Timothy J. O’Malley, FBI Indianapolis special agent in charge

“This was not a sweep, nor did it involve schools or other sensitive locations. The focus was solely on removing dangerous offenders to protect the safety of our residents. Public safety remains our top priority, and this operation reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

Chief Greg O’Brien of Seymour Police Department

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