Topline: Federal prosecutors say the two former Utah court clerks used courthouse databases to identify ICE’s target before allegedly helping multiple migrants slip out a back door.
Published: June 17, 2026 4:00 pm ET
Must Read
via DOJ
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Two former Utah court clerks have been charged in federal court after prosecutors say they helped multiple unauthorized immigrants avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, including allegedly escorting individuals through a courthouse and out a back exit to evade federal authorities.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, both of Logan, were arrested after a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed. The indictment, returned June 3, accuses the former Logan City Municipal Justice Court employees of helping illegal aliens avoid apprehension by ICE and interfering with the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
The Justice Department alleges the events unfolded on April 9, 2026, while Joma and Morrow were working at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court. According to court documents cited by federal prosecutors, an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer arrived at the courthouse with an administrative warrant for an individual facing immigration-related charges who was scheduled to appear for a hearing.
According to the indictment, the ICE officer left the courthouse’s secure area and waited outside in a vehicle for the individual to leave the building before making an arrest.
Federal prosecutors allege that after learning ICE was present, Joma and Morrow took steps to identify the agency’s intended target. According to the Department of Justice, the pair allegedly misused court databases to examine the citizenship status of people listed on the court docket.
Court documents allege the searches identified multiple non-U.S. citizens. According to prosecutors, Joma and Morrow then intercepted several of those individuals before they left the courthouse and helped them avoid contact with ICE officers.
The Justice Department alleges that ICE’s intended target was among at least four unauthorized immigrants who were escorted through a secure area of the courthouse. According to court filings, the women led the individuals through hallways and eventually out a back door without being seen by federal immigration officers.
Prosecutors further allege that after escorting one individual out of the courthouse, surveillance footage captured Morrow and Joma waving and smiling toward a camera. According to the indictment, Morrow also made an obscene gesture by raising her middle finger toward the camera.
Federal authorities allege that during a second trip, Joma transported three unauthorized immigrants away from the courthouse in her vehicle before returning alone to continue her work shift.
Joma and Morrow have each been charged with conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before departments and agencies, according to the Department of Justice. Joma also faces an additional charge of transporting illegal aliens.
Federal court records show the pair were scheduled to make their initial appearance on the indictment on June 11 in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah announced the charges. The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, according to the Justice Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
The Department of Justice said the prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative focused on immigration enforcement, dismantling transnational criminal organizations and cartels, and combating violent crime.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Court Clerks Accused of Sneaking Migrants Out Back Door to Evade ICE, Flipping Off Surveillance Camera
Federal prosecutors say the two former Utah court clerks used courthouse databases to identify ICE’s target before allegedly helping multiple migrants slip out a back door.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 17, 2026 4:00 pm ET
via DOJ
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Two former Utah court clerks have been charged in federal court after prosecutors say they helped multiple unauthorized immigrants avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, including allegedly escorting individuals through a courthouse and out a back exit to evade federal authorities.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, both of Logan, were arrested after a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed. The indictment, returned June 3, accuses the former Logan City Municipal Justice Court employees of helping illegal aliens avoid apprehension by ICE and interfering with the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
The Justice Department alleges the events unfolded on April 9, 2026, while Joma and Morrow were working at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court. According to court documents cited by federal prosecutors, an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer arrived at the courthouse with an administrative warrant for an individual facing immigration-related charges who was scheduled to appear for a hearing.
According to the indictment, the ICE officer left the courthouse’s secure area and waited outside in a vehicle for the individual to leave the building before making an arrest.
Federal prosecutors allege that after learning ICE was present, Joma and Morrow took steps to identify the agency’s intended target. According to the Department of Justice, the pair allegedly misused court databases to examine the citizenship status of people listed on the court docket.
Court documents allege the searches identified multiple non-U.S. citizens. According to prosecutors, Joma and Morrow then intercepted several of those individuals before they left the courthouse and helped them avoid contact with ICE officers.
The Justice Department alleges that ICE’s intended target was among at least four unauthorized immigrants who were escorted through a secure area of the courthouse. According to court filings, the women led the individuals through hallways and eventually out a back door without being seen by federal immigration officers.
Prosecutors further allege that after escorting one individual out of the courthouse, surveillance footage captured Morrow and Joma waving and smiling toward a camera. According to the indictment, Morrow also made an obscene gesture by raising her middle finger toward the camera.
Federal authorities allege that during a second trip, Joma transported three unauthorized immigrants away from the courthouse in her vehicle before returning alone to continue her work shift.
Joma and Morrow have each been charged with conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before departments and agencies, according to the Department of Justice. Joma also faces an additional charge of transporting illegal aliens.
Federal court records show the pair were scheduled to make their initial appearance on the indictment on June 11 in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah announced the charges. The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, according to the Justice Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
The Department of Justice said the prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative focused on immigration enforcement, dismantling transnational criminal organizations and cartels, and combating violent crime.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Court Clerks Accused of Sneaking Migrants Out Back Door to Evade ICE, Flipping Off Surveillance Camera
Federal prosecutors say the two former Utah court clerks used courthouse databases to identify ICE’s target before allegedly helping multiple migrants slip out a back door.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 17, 2026 4:00 pm ET
via DOJ
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Two former Utah court clerks have been charged in federal court after prosecutors say they helped multiple unauthorized immigrants avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, including allegedly escorting individuals through a courthouse and out a back exit to evade federal authorities.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, both of Logan, were arrested after a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed. The indictment, returned June 3, accuses the former Logan City Municipal Justice Court employees of helping illegal aliens avoid apprehension by ICE and interfering with the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
The Justice Department alleges the events unfolded on April 9, 2026, while Joma and Morrow were working at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court. According to court documents cited by federal prosecutors, an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer arrived at the courthouse with an administrative warrant for an individual facing immigration-related charges who was scheduled to appear for a hearing.
According to the indictment, the ICE officer left the courthouse’s secure area and waited outside in a vehicle for the individual to leave the building before making an arrest.
Federal prosecutors allege that after learning ICE was present, Joma and Morrow took steps to identify the agency’s intended target. According to the Department of Justice, the pair allegedly misused court databases to examine the citizenship status of people listed on the court docket.
Court documents allege the searches identified multiple non-U.S. citizens. According to prosecutors, Joma and Morrow then intercepted several of those individuals before they left the courthouse and helped them avoid contact with ICE officers.
The Justice Department alleges that ICE’s intended target was among at least four unauthorized immigrants who were escorted through a secure area of the courthouse. According to court filings, the women led the individuals through hallways and eventually out a back door without being seen by federal immigration officers.
Prosecutors further allege that after escorting one individual out of the courthouse, surveillance footage captured Morrow and Joma waving and smiling toward a camera. According to the indictment, Morrow also made an obscene gesture by raising her middle finger toward the camera.
Federal authorities allege that during a second trip, Joma transported three unauthorized immigrants away from the courthouse in her vehicle before returning alone to continue her work shift.
Joma and Morrow have each been charged with conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before departments and agencies, according to the Department of Justice. Joma also faces an additional charge of transporting illegal aliens.
Federal court records show the pair were scheduled to make their initial appearance on the indictment on June 11 in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah announced the charges. The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, according to the Justice Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
The Department of Justice said the prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative focused on immigration enforcement, dismantling transnational criminal organizations and cartels, and combating violent crime.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
