CHARLOTTE — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 30 people at a Kings Mountain fire equipment company, saying they were acting on a tip about fake documents and possible unauthorized workers.
Video from Chopper 9 Skyzoom on Wednesday afternoon showed agents walking people in handcuffs out of Buckeye Fire Equipment Company.
Agents said they received a tip that someone inside was using fake documents to allow people to work, who possibly were not authorized to work in the country.
“This operation specifically focused on serious allegations of aggravated identity theft and potential federal crimes,” ICE officials stated Thursday afternoon in a news release about executing the federal search warrant.
“This operation underscores HSI’s unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation’s financial and identification systems. Identity fraud is not a victimless crime — it fuels a range of criminal activity and puts innocent people at risk,” said HSI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant, in the news release. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners, HSI will continue to pursue those who exploit these systems for personal gain and hold them accountable under federal law.”
Investigators haven’t released any information on any arrests or charges.
Federal agents said they are also looking at possible other federal crimes.
Channel 9 spoke with a man who said he was one of the people detained.
He said ICE agents entered the business with guns drawn and demanded everyone go to the front of the shop.
“I was a detained for an hour,” said Erik Pinon. “I felt scared. I felt like they were going to take me because I’ve seen a lot of U.S. citizens get treated bad.”
Buckeyes Fire Equipment is family-owned and operated since 1968, and its headquarters is in Kings Mountain.
It makes fire extinguishers, fire suppressing foam, and systems that help stop kitchen fires.
Brayan Cruz Hernandez waited, fearing the worst for his mother, the only guardian for him and his younger sister.
“It’s really sad because I don’t know if she’s going to come home,” Hernandez said.
She did return home, according to family friend, Molly Donaldson, who protested during the investigation.
“I barely got a taste of how that feels and you know, it’s scary,” she said.
Janette Alvarez, the operator of San Miguel Mexican Store and Restaurant in Shelby, was also scared.
“It breaks my heart. I’ve been there before,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez moved from Mexico, entered the U.S. legally and now lives in Gaston County.
“I can’t stop thinking about all the children that probably wasn’t going see their parents again,” she said.
Alvarez offered support at the restaurant for children who have lost parents in Wednesday’s operation.
“If there’s anybody that needs help please feel free to come to me and let me know if there is anything I can do for you,” she said. “I want them to know that they are not alone.”
These agencies participated in the operation: ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP’s Air and Marine Operations, IRS Criminal Investigations, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, the North Carolina National Guard, the DEA, the ATF, King’s Mountain Police, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department and the Gaston County Police Department.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
VIDEO: Homeland Security serves criminal search warrant at Kings Mountain fire equipment supplier
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
