Two former Utah state court clerks, Jennifer Joma and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, were arrested following an indictment alleging they assisted non-U.S. citizens in evading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
Alleged misuse of court databases
According to court documents, the two Logan residents allegedly used court databases to identify individuals for the purpose of helping them escape arrest at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court.
Details of the April incident
The allegations stem from an incident on April 9, 2026, when an ICE Enforcement and Removal Officer arrived at the justice court with an administrative warrant for a person attending a hearing. While the officer waited in his vehicle outside the courthouse, Joma and Morrow allegedly took steps to identify the target by misusing court databases to check the alienage of individuals on the court docket.
Evading ICE through back exits
Court documents state that after identifying multiple non-U.S. citizens, the clerks intercepted them before they could leave the building. The defendants are accused of leading the individuals through secure areas and hallways to exit via a back door to avoid detection by ICE.
Surveillance footage and additional actions
During the incident, surveillance footage reportedly captured Morrow and Joma waving and smiling at a camera, with Morrow also making an obscene gesture toward the camera. On a subsequent trip, Joma allegedly drove three non-U.S. citizens away in her vehicle before returning alone to the courthouse.
Criminal charges against the clerks
Joma and Morrow face charges including conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before departments and agencies. Joma also faces an additional charge of transporting illegal aliens.
Investigation details and official announcement
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced the charges, noting that the case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Bouton. This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America.
