Old Orchard Beach, Maine – In a shocking failure of federal and local systems, a Jamaican national who overstayed his visa was recently arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after he was caught trying to illegally purchase a firearm—while working as a reserve police officer in Maine.
The man, 34-year-old Jon Luke Evans, entered the United States legally on a visa in September 2023 but never left when required. Nearly 10 months later, he had managed to secure a law enforcement position, complete firearms training, and patrol the streets of Old Orchard Beach—all while being in the country unlawfully.
According to ICE, Evans was taken into custody on July 25th, 2025, in Biddeford after his background check during a firearm purchase attempt triggered an alert with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He admitted that he intended to buy the gun to use for his police duties.
How Did He Get Hired?
That’s the question many are asking—including ICE officials, Maine residents, and gun owners across the country.
The Old Orchard Beach Police Department says Evans was hired as a seasonal reserve officer in May 2025, after passing a full background check, medical and physical screenings, and completing standard law enforcement training. He was reportedly cleared through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) E-Verify system, which astonishingly listed his Employment Authorization Document as valid through March 2030.
Police Chief Elise Chard said the department relied on that DHS verification when it made the hire, adding:
“We are distressed and deeply concerned about this apparent error on the part of the federal government.”
Was He Armed?
Chief Chard confirmed that the illegal immigrant was issued a department-owned firearm, but officers are not permitted to take weapons home or carry personal firearms while on duty. Evans, however, attempted to personally purchase a firearm—possibly for on-duty or off-duty use—prompting his arrest.
Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A)), illegal aliens are barred from possessing or purchasing firearms, regardless of their job status or intentions. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld this law, reaffirming that illegal immigrants have no Second Amendment rights.
“We have a police department that was knowingly breaking the very law they are charged with enforcing,” said Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director for ICE’s Boston division. “This case is not just disturbing—it’s dangerous.”
Firearms Training & Authority
According to the department, Evans received standard police training. That likely included firearms handling, use-of-force protocols, and arrest procedures. While he may not have been carrying a personal firearm at the time of arrest, he was trained and potentially authorized to use one in the line of duty—despite having no legal right to be in the country or possess a gun.
Not the First Time
Evans’ case isn’t an isolated incident. In April 2025,ICE arrested a Congolese national working as a corrections officer in Falmouth, Maine, who also tried to illegally purchase a firearm. That individual had applied for asylum but remained unlawfully present.
These back-to-back arrests raise serious national security and public trust concerns—especially in light of rising calls for mass deportations and tighter border controls following President Trump’s 2024 re-election.
Maine Law Allows Non-Citizens in Police Work
Maine is one of about a dozen states that allow non-citizens with valid work permits to serve in law enforcement. However, being in the country illegally is not the same as having a valid work permit—and Evans’ visa expired in October 2023.
Despite his expired visa, Biden Administration DHS systems somehow cleared him to work, and the police department never received a flag from ICE—until the firearm purchase attempt brought it all crashing down.
Where We Go From Here
Evans’ employment has been suspended, and the Old Orchard Beach Police Department has launched an internal investigation into how this happened. Meanwhile, ICE says it will ramp up enforcement across New England, targeting illegal immigrants in sensitive public safety roles.
For many gun owners, this situation reinforces what the courts have already affirmed: constitutional rights—especially those involving deadly force—must be tied to loyalty, legal presence, and allegiance to the United States.
This case is a warning. If illegal immigrants can slip through the cracks and end up patrolling American streets with department-issued weapons, what else is broken in the system?
Bottom Line:
Jon Luke Evans should have never been hired, never been armed, and never been allowed to purchase a firearm. This isn’t just a paperwork error—it’s a breakdown in national security, public trust, and the rule of law.
ICE has confirmed he will be placed in removal proceedings.
Is the Second Amendment Only America’s Right? Do Illegal Immigrants Have Gun Rights?
7th Circuit Court Drops the Hammer: Illegal Aliens Have No 2nd Amendment Rights
Any cases, tickets or other activities he did should be voided. Any time or money lost should be refunded to the citizens this illegal deprived them of.
Quoting the Chief: Chief Elise Chard state the true facts Chief, not “the federal government” inferring Trump and Trump Administration, but the FJB Administration and Mayorkis broke the law by autochanging e-verify expired Visa to 2030 so Illegal Aliens could get jobs over U.S. Citizens.
Any Arrest or Ticket the Illegal Alien Jamaican undertook should be thrown out and Chief Elise and Old Orchard Beach sued.
If the Justice Department investigates I bet the result would be that they knowing hired the Illegal Alien.
Fifty six years ago, I was among a throng of incoming police recruits in an assembly hall at the NYPD academy. The very first thing we were asked from the man at the podium: “Are you all US citizens? Anyone who is not, leave the hall.”
Jaba the Governor in the fascist controlled state of Illinois allows the same. One of his liberal judges even said an illegal immigrant has 2nd Amendment rights and doesn’t require a FOID or a state issued CCW permit to carry. Of course as a law abiding citizen I have to personally kiss his backside to do the same.
Now ask yourself what all did he do illegally as an officer? Not to mention every ticket he wrote or case he worked is non valid and evidentiary corrupted. If he used force on people they can sue.
that ANY state could allow a foreign national under any capacity, to work in any goobers job is unacceptable
“Chief Chard confirmed that the illegal immigrant was issued a department-owned firearm, but officers are not permitted to take weapons home or carry personal firearms while on duty.”
That must be a weird place to work. I guess they are close enough to the Canadian border that they feel obligated to adopt their policies regarding not taking issued firearms home. Run into a situation like a robbery, Traverse City style stabbing spree, or NYC active shooter, and you are SOL if you don’t have your own off-duty gun.
Then there is the whole thing of hiring foreign nationals as cops…
That’s nuts
These blue states love illegals and hate US citizens. Some of them even knowingly hire illegals as police officers. Example: California made it legal for DACA immigrants to work as police. [search that]. These are the same states that will lock you and me up for 10 years for possessing a firearm magazine that is 100% legal and protected under the 2A.
Every single illegal alien needs to be removed from this country until we can establish a new set of rules to gain entry and achieve citizenship. The current system is broken too many loopholes. You have people that hate America here working what’s wrong with that picture?