An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, Adam Saracco, was charged with misdemeanor battery following an alleged attack on a protester last month in Brookfield, Illinois, on December 27th.
Details of the Incident
Robert Held, 68, stated he followed Saracco from the parking lot of a Broadview ICE facility and was filming him as he stopped for gas. According to Held, Saracco approached him on the sidewalk, threw him to the ground, and attempted to take his phone. Held reportedly told Saracco to “calm down, you need to deescalate.”
People nearby reportedly honked their horns, and Saracco eventually released Held. While initially investigated as a potential felony due to Held’s age and the location on a public sidewalk, prosecutors recommended a misdemeanor charge. Brookfield police subsequently filed the misdemeanor battery charge.
Broader Context of Allegations
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) practices. Last year, the Chicago area was the site of “Operation Midway Blitz,” a months-long immigration enforcement campaign that led to thousands of arrests and accusations of excessive force and racial profiling.
Similar allegations have surfaced in Minneapolis and other cities. Following the shooting death of Renee Macklin Good by an ICE officer earlier this month, Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office acknowledged that ICE operations have “resulted in unnecessary deaths, broken relationships between law enforcement and our citizens, and an untold amount of terror unleashed on communities.”
Saracco has been named in previous lawsuits. In a 2016 case, an immigrant claimed Saracco and other ICE officials physically and verbally assaulted him at the ICE offices in Chicago. All lawsuits naming Saracco have been dismissed.
Separately, an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol officer, Luis Uribe, was recently indicted on charges of “gunpoint sexual assaults” of four women in the suburbs, and is currently held awaiting trial.
What’s Next
Adam Saracco’s first court appearance is scheduled for early March. It is possible that the case will proceed to trial, where evidence will be presented and a determination made regarding his guilt or innocence. Depending on the outcome, further legal proceedings could follow. It is also possible that the case could be resolved through a plea agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges has Adam Saracco been facing?
Adam Saracco has been charged with a misdemeanor count of battery in connection with the December 27th attack.
What was Robert Held doing before the alleged attack?
Robert Held stated he followed Saracco from the Broadview ICE facility and was filming him while he stopped for gas.
What is the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office’s jurisdiction in cases involving ICE?
The State’s Attorney’s office stated it “does not conduct independent investigations into criminal conduct” and has no jurisdiction “over federal agencies or facilities,” but reviews evidence collected by law enforcement.
Given the recent scrutiny of ICE and CBP, and the multiple allegations of misconduct, how might this case influence public perception of federal immigration enforcement?
