08/09/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scott County Sheriff’s Office
August 9, 2026
Statement Regarding Immigration-Related Detentions at the Sikeston Rodeo
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is aware of questions and reports circulating regarding individuals who were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the Sikeston Rodeo. I want to provide the public with an accurate account of what occurred and some additional information regarding our involvement with federal immigration enforcement.
What Occurred at the Rodeo
As part of the rodeo’s alcohol-control procedures, individuals seeking a 21-and-over wristband must present identification at designated ID checkpoints. Technology is used at these checkpoints to assist with verifying a person’s age, the validity of the identification presented, and how many times an identification has been scanned. This is an important safeguard designed to prevent someone from obtaining a wristband and then giving it to a person who is under 21.
The Sikeston Rodeo attracts people from throughout the United States and other countries. It is not unusual for identification from Mexico, South Africa, Australia, and other countries to be presented.
When an international identification is presented and additional verification is needed, a uniformed law enforcement officer is requested to assist in verifying the identification and the person’s age.
On Saturday night, this occurred on several occasions. During those contacts, information obtained during the verification process raised issues regarding the individuals’ immigration status. ICE agents who were already present at the rodeo responded, and the individuals were detained by those federal agents.
I want to make one point particularly clear: the arrests Saturday night were made by ICE agents, not Scott County Sheriff’s Office task force officers.
ICE agents had been present at the rodeo since the first night. They were not walking through the rodeo randomly approaching people and asking about their immigration status. These contacts occurred after law enforcement assistance was requested as part of the established identification-verification process.
Scott County's Partnership With ICE
There has also been discussion regarding local law enforcement agencies working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple other law enforcement agencies throughout our region, has officers assigned to work with ICE through federal partnerships. I cannot speak for why another sheriff, police chief, or agency chooses to participate. I can explain why the Scott County Sheriff’s Office does.
Our decision was based primarily on two reasons.
First, our priority is public safety. We want the ability to identify and address individuals who are unlawfully in this country and are committing violent crimes or otherwise creating serious problems in Scott County, regardless of what country they came from.
At the same time, I have met many people who came to this country looking for a better life, work hard, support their families, and are productive members of our communities. I believe people should be judged by their actions, not simply by where they were born.
Second, our participation in the 287(g) program helps make our encounters with immigration-related matters more efficient.
Local law enforcement has dealt with these situations for many years. In the past, when an officer encountered someone believed to have entered the country unlawfully or remained after the expiration of a visa or authorized period of stay, resolving that person's status could tie up an officer for an extended period while waiting for federal immigration authorities to respond.
Having properly trained officers working through the federal program provides additional capabilities to verify information and work through the appropriate process more efficiently. That means our deputies can spend less time waiting and get back to answering calls, investigating crimes, patrolling our communities, and performing the other duties the citizens of Scott County expect from them.
Where I Stand
I personally have friends from around the world, and I have had many conversations about immigration with people from different countries and backgrounds.
One response I have heard repeatedly from people who have legally traveled or immigrated here is essentially this: their own countries would not simply allow an American to enter, remain beyond the period they were legally authorized to stay, and expect there to be no consequences—particularly if that person was committing crimes or causing problems.
Immigration is an issue people feel strongly about, and I understand that no amount of explanation will change everyone's opinion. People have taken different positions on this issue for many different reasons.
My responsibility as Sheriff, however, is not to make decisions based upon which political argument is the loudest. My responsibility is to protect the people of Scott County, enforce the law fairly, use our resources responsibly, and be transparent with the public about what we are doing and why we are doing it.
People deserve to know the facts surrounding an incident before reaching conclusions based on rumors or incomplete information.
Again, regarding Saturday night's incidents at the Sikeston Rodeo: those individuals came to the attention of law enforcement through the ID-verification process, and the subsequent detentions were made by ICE agents—not Scott County Sheriff's Office task force officers.
Sheriff Derick Wheetley
Scott County Sheriff’s Office
