Vermont Sheriff's Deputy Accused of Violating State Policy in Migrant Arrest
Migrant Justice, an immigration advocacy group, has accused Chittenden County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Costella of violating Vermont's fair and impartial policing policy. The group claims that Deputy Costella conducted a traffic stop in Franklin County and used his personal cellphone to contact Border Patrol, leading to the arrest and subsequent deportation of Alex Jimenez, a migrant farm worker in the U.S. illegally. This action allegedly contravenes Vermont's policy, which prohibits local and state law enforcement from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities. The incident, which occurred on July 19, has prompted an investigation by an outside party, as confirmed by Sheriff Dan Gamelin. The timing of the accusation coincides with the Vermont primary elections, including the primary for Chittenden County sheriff. 
