Samuel Saxon, a 47-year-old Cincinnati ICE supervisor, was arrested on Dec. 5 on domestic violence charges and held on a $400,000 bond. He has since been indicted on federal false-statement charges and transferred to DHS custody at Butler County Jail. Witnesses report a chokehold and prior injuries allegedly linked to Saxon; the alleged victim declined to cooperate and Saxon has pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court on Dec. 22.
ICE Supervisor Arrested, Jailed In Facility He Once Sent Detainees To After Alleged Strangling
Saxon was arrested in early Dec. for assault. / Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
A Cincinnati supervisor with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Samuel Saxon, 47, was arrested on Dec. 5 on domestic violence allegations and held on a $400,000 bond. Records show he was later indicted on federal charges and transferred into Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody at Butler County Jail — a facility that houses ICE detainees and has been the site of recent protests.
Sheriff Richard Jones has posted a sign reading 'Illegal Aliens Here' at Butler County Jail. / UCG / UCG/Universal Images Group via G
Allegations and Charges
Prosecutors say Saxon put his partner in a chokehold in the hallway of their apartment; police reported bruising to the woman’s neck and said officers had responded to the residence 22 times over an 18-month period. He has been charged locally with domestic violence and federally with making false statements to investigators, a charge that carries up to five years in prison if convicted.
Protesters in Ohio demanding that ICE release a detained Honduran teen who has no criminal record. / REUTERS/Megan Jelinger
Victim, Witnesses and Case Status
Local reporting indicates the alleged victim suffered prior injuries previously linked to Saxon, including a broken nose in 2018 and a broken pelvis in April. For the most recent incident she declined to cooperate with prosecutors, leaving the case to rely largely on witness testimony. Saxon has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 22.
Professional Background and Agency Response
Saxon is identified as an Enforcement and Removal Operations official and is a two-decade veteran of ICE who received an agency award in 2016 for long-term contributions. While in custody Saxon learned ICE had placed him on administrative suspension. The Daily Beast has sought comment from DHS.
Advocates' Reaction: The Ohio Immigrant Alliance said this may be the first time an ICE agent has been jailed in a facility where he previously processed detainees. Lynn Tramonte, the alliance director, said: "We’ve noticed ICE demonizing immigrants who haven’t committed crimes while failing to police their own ranks."
The case has drawn attention from immigrant advocates because of the irony of an ICE supervisor being detained in the same county jail that houses many of the agency’s detainees. Earlier reporting has also raised questions about DHS training and recruitment processes.
