A former detention officer in North Carolina has been charged with 20 counts of felony forgery in connection with alleged forged Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainment documents.
Michael Diehl, 40, a former Guilford County detention officer, was arrested and charged following an investigation by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office (GCSO). The GCSO was notified by the Guilford County magistrate's office on Friday about a potentially forged court document submitted by Diehl.
The document, an AOC-CR-662 form, is titled 'Order After Receipt of ICE Detainer and Administrative Warrant'. It allows a detention centre to hold an inmate for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release, providing ICE an opportunity to take custody. The investigation found that in 20 cases, including an initial one involving inmate Claudio Nepornuceno, forms with allegedly forged magistrate signatures were submitted instead of inmates being presented before a magistrate with the detainer.
Diehl's employment with the sheriff's office was terminated during the criminal investigation. He has since been released from custody after receiving a $5,000 secured bond. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may follow.