Lake County Times

The Lake County Times has obtained the Butler County Sheriff's Office job application through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and found that it does not ask applicants whether they are U.S. citizens. The county responded on August 4.

According to the form available on the office’s website, applicants are required to provide personal, educational, and employment history, along with consent for a comprehensive background check covering driving records, criminal history, drug use, and psychological screening. However, it does not inquire about the applicant's citizenship status.

In July, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Jamaican national Jon Luke Evans in Biddeford, Maine. According to an ICE press release, Evans allegedly attempted to illegally purchase a firearm while serving as a reserve police officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department. ICE officials say Evans entered the U.S. legally in September 2023 but overstayed his visa. He reportedly sought the weapon for his job as an officer — a move that triggered an alert to federal agents. This arrest follows a similar case where ICE detained a Congolese national working as a corrections officer who also allegedly tried to unlawfully buy a firearm.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office serves communities in southwest Ohio by providing law enforcement, jail operations, and court security. Led by elected sheriff Richard K. Jones, the office handles criminal investigations, patrol duties, and public safety programs across the county.