MOUNT VERNON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)— A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation occurred on Thursday, October 9, at Pancho’s Tacos, located at 110 Mount Vernon Ave., Mt. Vernon.
The operation began around 11 a.m. and continued into the evening, with a large police presence at the scene.
By approximately 6 p.m., Mount Vernon Police Department officials were on-site alongside the restaurant’s owner, Tim Carper.
According to city officials, the police department was not involved in the ICE operation. Carper reported that several employees were detained during the operation, which took place before the restaurant’s opening hours.
He also noted that one worker sustained an injury during the incident.
Pancho’s Tacos opened in the Mount Vernon community in 2024, and as of Thursday evening, the whereabouts of the detained employees remained unclear.
Carper confirmed that representatives from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office were present during the ICE operation. Sheriff Dan Weckesser indicated that he would provide additional information about the situation on Friday.
The City of Mount Vernon responded to the incident with a statement shared on their official Facebook page. It read:
“At approximately 12:30 p.m., the City of Mount Vernon became aware of a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation conducted at Pancho’s Tacos within city limits.” The statement further clarified, “The City of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Police Department, and the Office of the Law Director did not receive communication or coordination from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials regarding the timing, scope, or nature of this operation.”