Monterey County, Calif. — Six ICE agents arrived at the Monterey County Jail in Salinas on October 27 for a targeted pickup of three people with prior arrests, according to reporting that cited ICE and Border Hawk. Instead of processing any transfers, the jail went into a temporary lockdown as a crowd gathered outside. ICE left without taking anyone into custody that evening.
ICE: Routine pickup “went sideways”
ICE Assistant Director of Public Affairs Micah Bock told Border Hawk that “what should have been a simple, routine operation quickly went sideways” and that “none of the suspects were turned over to ICE during the lockdown.” Bock said “a local county supervisor told the ICE officers that the sheriff would not release the inmates to them.”
On video: “They will not be released where ICE is present”
KSBW Action News 8 aired footage of an ICE agent speaking with Monterey County District 4 Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. In the clip, the agent asks whether the sheriff is keeping people in custody because ICE is present. Askew replies: “They will not be released in a location where ICE is present.” KSBW reported the exchange as part of its coverage.
Lockdown, paused releases, and the sheriff’s explanation
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced a full lockdown around 5:40 p.m., temporarily suspending new bookings and inmate releases and closing public visitation except for attorneys. Officials said the steps were taken “out of an abundance of caution to ensure everybody’s safety,” according to statements cited in the reports. ICE agents departed around 6:30 p.m., and the jail returned to normal operations less than two hours later. The sheriff’s office later said scheduled releases were not affected overall and described the lockdown as a safety measure.
Who ICE sought—and what happened next
ICE was seeking Eduardo Castro-Lopez (also known as Jordan Eduardo Yac), Jose Luis Quinones (also known as Jose Manuel Garcia), and Angelina Ramirez-Sepulveda—individuals ICE described as having prior arrests for DUI, drug offenses, and providing false identification, according to the reports. By the next day, online custody records reviewed in those reports showed Castro-Lopez had been released and Quinones was no longer listed as in custody. Ramirez-Sepulveda remained in custody.
ICE blasts “harboring” and sanctuary policies
On social media, ICE wrote that the jail was placed on lockdown “involving criminal illegal aliens with prior arrests” and stated that “two of the individuals ICE sought were reportedly released from custody.” ICE accused the facility of “harboring” and said, “Criminals are being protected in sanctuary cities and states, and a law enforcement facility is siding with CRIMINALS instead of cooperating with federal law enforcement.”
Protesters and local officials on scene
As agents waited behind yellow caution tape, a crowd formed outside. Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo was present and filmed the gathering, according to the reports. The Gateway Pundit reported roughly 50 people, including legal observers, lawyers, and elected officials, were on site.
