Five Mesa County sheriff’s deputies have been disciplined after a June 5, 2025, traffic stop led to the immigration arrest of a Utah college student. The case, involving Deputy Alexander Zwinck and the detention of 19-year-old Caroline Dias Goncalves, has sparked a lawsuit, a public apology, and a statewide debate about law enforcement’s role in immigration matters.
Key Events and Disciplinary Actions
The incident began when Deputy Alexander Zwinck stopped Dias Goncalves, a University of Utah student from Brazil, on I-70 near Loma, Colorado. Zwinck issued only a warning for following a semitrailer too closely but then contacted federal immigration authorities using an encrypted Signal chat. This action resulted in Dias Goncalves’s immigration arrest, which violated Colorado law that limits local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
Following an internal review, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office took the following disciplinary actions:
- Deputy Alexander Zwinck: Three weeks of unpaid leave, removal from the Western Colorado Drug Task Force, reassignment to regular patrol.
- Deputy Erik Olson: Two weeks of unpaid leave, removal from the drug task force.
- Sgt. Joe LeMoine: Two days of unpaid suspension.
- Lt. David Holdren: Letter of reprimand.
- Capt. Curtis Brammer: Verbal counseling.
| Deputy Name | Position | Disciplinary Action | Task Force Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Deputy | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | Deputy | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | Sergeant | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | Lieutenant | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | Captain | N/A | N/A |
Sheriff Todd Rowell released the results of the review, admitting failures in training and compliance with state law. He issued a public apology to Dias Goncalves and promised better training for deputies on immigration laws.
Legal and Policy Background
Colorado law, specifically SB 21-131 and SB 25-276, prohibits state and local law enforcement from helping federal immigration authorities unless a criminal matter is involved. This means deputies cannot ask about immigration status or share information with agencies like ICE unless there is a criminal investigation.
Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit against Deputy Zwinck, claiming he broke these state laws. The lawsuit also points to Zwinck’s previous involvement in another immigration arrest and alleges he delayed Dias Goncalves to help ICE detain her. The Attorney General’s office is also investigating other agencies, including the Colorado State Patrol, Vail Police, and Eagle County Sheriff’s Department, for similar actions using the Signal chat.
Impact on the Community and Stakeholders
The case has drawn strong reactions from many groups:
- Sheriff Todd Rowell admitted his department’s mistakes but criticized the lawsuit as politically motivated. He called for equal treatment of all agencies involved in the Signal chat.
- Attorney General Phil Weiser said Zwinck’s actions clearly violated state law and stressed the need to protect immigrant communities by following Colorado’s rules.
- Caroline Dias Goncalves described her two-week detention at the Aurora ICE facility as “the hardest of my life.” Her experience has become central to the debate over local and federal cooperation in immigration enforcement.
Civil rights groups, while not directly quoted in recent reports, have long supported Colorado’s restrictions on local police involvement in immigration enforcement. They are likely to see the disciplinary actions and lawsuit as important steps for accountability.
Wider Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The Mesa County case has led to broader investigations across Colorado. The Attorney General’s office is looking into other law enforcement agencies that may have shared information with ICE through the Signal chat. This could lead to more disciplinary actions or lawsuits if other violations are found.
The outcome of the lawsuit against Zwinck could set a legal precedent for how strictly Colorado enforces its laws limiting local police involvement in immigration matters. If the court rules in favor of the Attorney General, it may lead to even stricter rules and more training for law enforcement statewide.
Policy Changes and Training
In response to the incident, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is updating its training programs to make sure deputies understand and follow state immigration laws. The department is also reviewing its protocols for sharing information with federal agencies. These steps aim to prevent similar incidents in the future and rebuild trust with the community.
Summary Table: Disciplinary Actions
| Name | Position | Disciplinary Action | Task Force Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Zwinck | Deputy | 3 weeks unpaid leave | Removed from task force |
| Erik Olson | Deputy | 2 weeks unpaid leave | Removed from task force |
| Joe LeMoine | Sergeant | 2 days unpaid suspension | Not specified |
| David Holdren | Lieutenant | Letter of reprimand | Not specified |
| Curtis Brammer | Captain | Verbal counseling | Not specified |
Practical Guidance for Affected Communities
For immigrants and their families in Colorado, this case highlights the importance of knowing your rights during police stops. State law protects individuals from being questioned about immigration status by local police unless there is a criminal investigation. If you believe your rights have been violated, you can contact the Colorado Attorney General’s Office or seek help from legal aid organizations.
Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to review their own policies and training to ensure compliance with state laws. Community members can attend public meetings or reach out to local officials to ask about police practices and how they protect immigrant rights.
Looking Ahead
The investigation into the Signal chat and other information-sharing practices is ongoing. More agencies may face scrutiny or disciplinary action as the Attorney General’s office continues its work. Lawmakers may also consider new laws or changes to existing ones to make the rules even clearer.
The lawsuit against Alexander Zwinck is still in progress. Its outcome will likely influence how law enforcement agencies across Colorado handle immigration matters in the future.
Resources and Official Links
For more information about the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and its policies, visit the official sheriff’s website. To learn about Colorado’s laws on immigration enforcement, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office provides updates and resources for the public.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this case remains a central issue in Colorado’s ongoing debate over the boundaries of local law enforcement’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement, with significant implications for policy, training, and cooperation among agencies statewide.
Action Steps
- If you have concerns about police conduct, file a complaint with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office or the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
- Stay informed about your rights and local law enforcement policies.
- Community groups and advocates can work with officials to improve training and ensure laws are followed.
This case shows how important it is for law enforcement to follow state laws and for communities to stay engaged in policy discussions that affect everyone’s rights and safety.
Learn Today
Mesa County → A Colorado county where the immigration arrest took place, involving local law enforcement.
Immigration arrest → Detaining an individual suspected of violating immigration laws, often by federal authorities.
Signal chat → An encrypted messaging app used by deputies to communicate about immigration cases with ICE.
Colorado law SB 21-131 → State law restricting local police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement except in criminal cases.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for federal immigration enforcement.
This Article in a Nutshell
A June 2025 traffic stop by Mesa County deputies led to the wrongful immigration arrest of Brazilian student Caroline Dias Goncalves, sparking lawsuits and policy change. Deputy Zwinck was disciplined for breaking Colorado law, highlighting the need for clear limits on local police involvement in immigration enforcement across the state.
— By VisaVerge.com
