ICE makes arrests, says Kings Mountain business lied about employees’ status
Immigration and Customs Enforcement made arrests on Wednesday at a Kings Mountain business with help from other law enforcement agencies.
ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams told The Charlotte Observer that Buckeye Fire Equipment Company on Kings Road is alleged to have committed “rampant” identity theft. The business has hired immigrants who lack proper documents and used fraudulent social security numbers, he said.
“Someone steals your identity to hire someone who doesn’t have the authorization to work here,” Williams said of the alleged scheme.
The business’ owner could not immediately be reached Wednesday afternoon.
ICE arrived at the business just before 1 p.m., Williams said, and agents were still there as of 4:30 p.m.
“We’ll be here for several hours,” Williams said.
Williams said Thursday morning that 30 people were arrested during the operation. He said that number is likely to go up. The search warrant was not immediately available.
Asked if more such searches are planned in the coming days in the area, Williams said he cannot discuss upcoming operations.
The people detained are being held at the Gaston County Jail, Williams said.
A long list of agencies acted Wednesday, according to Williams: Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations under ICE, the United States Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service’s criminal investigations arm, Office of the Inspector General, North Carolina National Guard, Customs and Border Protection, the FBI and others.
Williams said the Gaston County Police Department and Gaston County Sheriff’s Office assisted Wednesday. And the Kings Mountain Police Department said on social media Wednesday afternoon it also assisted Homeland Security.
“KMPD’s role is limited to addressing any potential state charges that may arise as part of the investigation,” the post said.
Gabriel Thomas, the communications specialist for the city of Kings Mountain, deferred all questions about the warrant and investigation to Homeland Security.
He said he wasn’t sure if the department was made aware of Homeland Security’s plans ahead of time.
Observer reporter Jeff A. Chamer contributed.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 5:16 PM.