A Jamaican national living in the U.S. illegally was arrested last week in Biddeford, Maine, after attempting to unlawfully purchase a firearm while serving as a reserve police officer.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Jon Luke Evans was taken into custody on Friday after federal agents from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, tracked him down following the flagged gun purchase attempt.
Evans, who entered the U.S. legally in September but overstayed his visa, admitted to ICE agents that he tried to buy the firearm to use during his duties with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, where he had been working in uniform.
Federal authorities said the gun purchase attempt triggered a background alert to ATF agents, who coordinated with ICE to make the arrest. Evans was not authorized to remain in the U.S. and was never eligible to serve in law enforcement or carry a firearm.
This case follows a similar incident in April, when ICE arrested a Congolese national in Falmouth who had been working as a corrections officer and also attempted to purchase a firearm unlawfully.
Key Points
- Jon Luke Evans, an illegal immigrant from Jamaica, was arrested after attempting to buy a firearm
- He had been working as a reserve officer for Old Orchard Beach Police despite overstaying his visa
- His arrest follows another similar case involving a corrections officer earlier this year
