A routine court day in Utah sparked a federal criminal case after two former court clerks were accused of helping several illegal aliens evade immigration officers waiting to make arrests.Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, both from Logan, Utah, were arrested earlie this month. The pair are facing multiple federal charges linked to allegations that they assisted illegal aliens in avoiding arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).The incident took place on April 9 at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court. An ICE officer had arrived at the courthouse to arrest an illegal alien who was attending a court hearing. The officer was carrying an administrative warrant and waited outside the building in his vehicle for the individual to leave before carrying out the arrest.After learning ICE was present, Joma and Morrow identified the agency’s intended target. The two clerks used court records to check the immigration status of people scheduled to appear in court that day.After identifying several non-US citizens, the pair intercepted them before they exited the courthouse through the main entrance. Then they escorted them through secure areas of the building, down corridors and out of a rear exit, allowing them to leave without being seen by ICE officers.After helping one individual leave through the back door, the two women were captured on surveillance footage reacting to the camera. Morrow made an obscene gesture while both women smiled and waved at the camera.
During a second trip, Joma drove away from the courthouse with three illegal aliens in her vehicle before returning alone to continue her work shift.Joma and Morrow have each been charged with conspiracy to transport and harbour illegal aliens, harbouring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before federal departments and agencies. Joma faces an additional charge of transporting illegal aliens.Their first court appearance was scheduled for 11 June.
