Update 6/16/2025 5:05 p.m.

Through our Administrative Investigation, we have learned that the federal representatives within the communication group began using the material collected for drug interdiction efforts to extrapolate immigration information for the purposes of ICE enforcement. This use of information is contradictory to Colorado law and was initially intended for the purpose of reducing illegal drug trafficking in Colorado. Unfortunately, it resulted in the later contact between ICE and Miss Dias Goncalves.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Investigator involved in this incident is Investigator Alexander Zwinck. Investigator Zwinck is assigned to the drug interdiction team and is a K9 handler. 

We would like to reiterate that we were unaware that the communication group was used for anything other than drug interdiction efforts and that we have since removed all Mesa County Sheriff’s Office members from the communication group.

We will continue our coordination on drug interdiction efforts with our state and federal and state partners within Colorado law. 

The body worn camera footage can be found in full on our YouTube page.

Initial Release 6/16/2025 1:50 p.m.

We are aware that a Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy conducted a traffic stop on June 5, 2025, with Caroline Dias Goncalves. The traffic contact occurred on Interstate 70 outside of Loma, Colorado, and lasted less than 20 minutes. Miss Dias Goncalves was released from the traffic stop with a warning. In accordance with Colorado law, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office does not investigate residency status during any law enforcement interactions.

Our Deputy was part of a communication group that included local, state, and federal law enforcement partners participating in a multi-agency drug interdiction effort focusing on the highways throughout Western Colorado. We were unaware that the communication group was used for anything other than drug interdiction efforts, including immigration. We have since removed all Mesa County Sheriff’s Office members from the communication group.

Our Administrative Investigation to ensure we are compliant with state law and department policy is ongoing.

The body camera footage of the traffic stop will be released once the required redaction is complete.