BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office released a statement asking residents not to interfere with law enforcement after Immigration and Customs enforcement carried out operations last week.
In a Facebook post, the sheriff's office said some people tried to obstruct local and federal law enforcement. The post said that included harassment on private property, sharing personal information of community members who were not involved with the operations and following sheriff's detective and command staff vehicles, at times to their private homes, before confronting them.
The post explained that the department was notified ahead of time about ICE activity but was not directly involved. It said deputies focused on public safety during the operations.
"Final operational outcomes have not been made public by the Department of Homeland Security. The information known at this time indicates the operation was a success and concluded safely, despite the local agitator groups’ attempts to harass, interfere, or obstruct," the post said.
The sheriff warned residents that interfering with local and federal law enforcement, through obstruction or jeopardizing the safety of officers, will not be tolerated, and individuals can be charged for doing so.
The post said further federal law enforcement operations will likely happen in the future. Details on last week's operation have not been made public by the Department of Homeland Security.
On Sunday afternoon, protesters gathered outside the Gallatin County Courthouse in opposition to ICE's operations. They collected food donations for families of detainees.
Sheriff Dan Springer said more federal law enforcement operations would likely happen in the future and that people who interfere or obstruct that work would be charged.
Community members with questions about these operations are encouraged to reach out to the sheriff's office.