Andrew Golobic, Sex Trafficking, Ohio 2023

A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer was arrested Wednesday evening on federal charges of sex trafficking, depriving individuals of their civil rights, and witness tampering. Andrew Golobic, 51, of Cincinnati and Mason, Ohio, was taken into custody by federal agents and is scheduled to appear in federal court at 1:30pm today in Cincinnati.

The indictment alleges that Golobic, who worked as a deportation officer with ICE from 2006 to 2020, sexually assaulted at least two females under his supervision in the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. The ATD program allows certain asylum seekers and other immigrants who ICE had determined posed a low risk to public safety to remain in their communities while their immigration cases were pending.

Golobic was assigned to the ICE office in Blue Ash, Ohio, and was given discretion over the degree of freedom and movement afforded to participants under his supervision. He had the authority to decide the type of monitoring, frequency of reporting, and level of supervision, as well as the authority to recommend that ATD participants who violated conditions of the program be detained or deported.

The indictment charges Golobic with sex trafficking by means of force, fraud, or coercion, depriving individuals of their civil rights while acting under color of law, tampering with witnesses, and obstructing a federal investigation. If convicted as charged, Golobic faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison.

The case was unsealed this morning, and the FBI is asking any individuals who believe they may be a victim of Golobic’s alleged conduct to contact them. Members of the public with information concerning the allegations can call the dedicated tip line at 513-979-8353 or email ICEOfficerComplaints@fbi.gov. Members of the public can also report potential incidents of law enforcement misconduct to the U.S. Attorney’s Office using the civil rights referral form available on https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh or by emailing usaohs.civilrights@usdoj.gov.

Assistant United States Attorneys Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo and Ashley N. Brucato are representing the United States in this case. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Golobic was employed as a deportation officer with ICE from 2006 to 2020 and was assigned to the ATD program from approximately 2015 to 2020. If you or someone you know may have been a victim of Golobic’s alleged conduct, please contact the FBI at the numbers and email addresses listed above.

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