Prosecutors abandon twice-dismissed case against ICE agent

By - Associated Press - Thursday, July 14, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Federal prosecutors are abandoning a case against a Utah Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent accused of slamming a detainee’s face into a concrete floor.

U.S. Attorney for Utah John Hubert said in a statement Wednesday that his office won’t continue to pursue criminal charges after the case was twice tossed out by different judges.

Martinson says in a statement he’s happy the case is closed and didn’t do anything wrong. He says he returned to his job several months ago.

Prosecutors say in court documents other remedies could better address the allegations against Jon Martinson Jr.

Martinson’s lawyers say he used a common tactic to control an aggressive inmate awaiting deportation at an ICE facility in June 2013. Prosecutors argued Martinson crossed the line and violated the man’s constitutional rights.

Prosecutors abandon twice-dismissed case against ICE agent