US News / Politics
Colorado Sheriff’s Deputy Faces Lawsuit for Assisting ICE
Weiser’s complaint alleges Zwinck stalled Dias Goncalves during the traffic stop, shared her location and vehicle details, and continued communicating with ICE agents, who detained her shortly after she was released with a warning.
Tommy Flynn
July 26, 2025 - Mesa County, Colorado – A civil lawsuit filed by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser targets Mesa County Sheriff’s Deputy Alexander Zwinck, accusing him of violating state law by sharing information with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The lawsuit, filed on July 22, 2025, in Mesa County District Court, centers on a June 5 traffic stop involving a 19-year-old University of Utah nursing student, Caroline Dias Goncalves, who was detained by ICE after Zwinck allegedly shared her personal information.
According to court documents, Zwinck pulled over Dias Goncalves on Interstate 70 near Loma for following a semitruck too closely. After she provided her driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance, Zwinck allegedly uploaded this information to a Signal group chat that included federal immigration officers. The lawsuit claims Zwinck knew Colorado law prohibits local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement, as outlined in statutes like HB19-1114 and HB23-1100, which restrict sharing personal information for civil immigration purposes.
Weiser’s complaint alleges Zwinck stalled Dias Goncalves during the traffic stop, shared her location and vehicle details, and continued communicating with ICE agents, who detained her shortly after she was released with a warning. Dias Goncalves, a Brazilian national with an expired visa and a pending asylum case, was held at an ICE facility in Aurora for 15 days before being released on bond. The lawsuit also cites a second incident on June 10, where Zwinck allegedly shared another individual’s driver’s license photo and vehicle details, reportedly joking, “We better get some bitchin Christmas baskets from you guys,” after learning the person was wanted by ICE.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office has placed Zwinck on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation, expected to conclude within a week of July 23, 2025. The office has also removed all employees from the Signal group chat, originally used for a regional drug task force, after learning it included federal agents. A spokesperson emphasized the office’s commitment to transparency and compliance with Colorado law, which prohibits inquiring about or sharing immigration status during law enforcement interactions.
This lawsuit comes amid broader tensions over Colorado’s sanctuary policies, which limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Colorado and Denver in May 2025, arguing these policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Critics, including U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, argue that such policies compromise public safety by shielding illegal immigrants. Boebert recently criticized Denver Mayor Mike Johnston for defending the city’s sanctuary status during a March 2025 congressional hearing.
Weiser’s office is also investigating whether other officers in the Signal group chat violated state law, signaling a broader probe into local-federal coordination. The lawsuit seeks a court order to bar Zwinck from future violations but does not pursue fines, though state law permits them. Zwinck, who has not yet retained an attorney, can contest the allegations or agree to a consent decree to cease assisting federal immigration efforts.
The case underscores the ongoing debate over local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement, with Colorado’s laws prioritizing state-level public safety over federal mandates. The outcome of this lawsuit, and the related DOJ challenge, could shape how local agencies navigate these complex legal boundaries.