Federal prosecutors have unveiled a case out of Utah that centers on two former court employees accused of helping illegal aliens avoid arrest by federal immigration authorities inside a municipal courthouse.
Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, both of Logan, Utah, were indicted on June 3, 2026, on charges that include conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before departments and agencies. Joma also faces an additional charge of transporting illegal aliens.
According to allegations contained in court documents, the events unfolded on April 9, 2026, at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Officer had arrived at the courthouse with an administrative warrant for an illegal alien who was scheduled to appear for a court hearing. Rather than making an arrest inside the building, the officer reportedly left the secure area and waited outside in his vehicle for the individual to exit the courthouse.
Prosecutors allege that after learning ICE was present, Joma and Morrow began attempting to determine who the federal officer was targeting. Court documents claim they misused court databases to investigate the immigration status of individuals appearing on the court docket. During those searches, they allegedly identified multiple non-U.S. citizens.
The indictment describes what happened next as a deliberate effort to prevent ICE from carrying out a lawful arrest. According to prosecutors, Joma and Morrow intercepted several non-citizens before they left the courthouse and guided them through restricted portions of the building. The pair allegedly escorted the individuals through secure areas and hallways before helping them leave through a rear exit, avoiding contact with the ICE officer waiting outside.
One of those individuals was allegedly the specific target ICE intended to arrest.
The allegations become even more striking with details captured on surveillance footage. Prosecutors claim that after helping one alien leave through the back entrance, Joma and Morrow were recorded waving and smiling at a surveillance camera. Court documents further allege that Morrow made an obscene gesture toward the camera by raising her middle finger.
Authorities also allege that during a second trip, Joma left the courthouse with three aliens in her vehicle before later returning alone to continue working.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation, while Assistant United States Attorney Todd Bouton is prosecuting the matter.
Federal officials stated that the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on immigration enforcement, combating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and targeting violent crime.
Joma and Morrow were scheduled to make their initial appearance on June 11, 2026, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
As with all criminal cases, the indictment contains allegations only. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law