News : ICE, U.S. Marshal's Office conduct investigation in Vinton

Downtown Vinton pedestrians may have seen several law enforcement vehicles and officers on A Avenue mid-morning Friday.

Several officers wearing protective gear and caps with ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) and/or the U.S. Marshal's Office were seen in front of Vinton City Hall.

Vinton Police Chief Jeff Tilson said he could not comment on the investigation other than to say that any press releases would come from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cedar Rapids.

Tilson has said in the past that most federal investigations of immigration violations in Vinton begin when a suspected illegal immigrant is arrested for a crime by Vinton officers. Tilson said he is quick to call in federal authorities to investigate such cases because those who are in the country illegally have already violated several laws and are likely to break others.