Lacey business owner abducted by ICE, according to online fundraiser
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Olympian is further investigating this story and donation solicitation after the fundraiser was removed from the GoFundMe site.
The owner of a mechanic shop in Lacey and a small organic farm was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a fundraiser posted on online site GoFundMe.
The fundraising campaign, which was created last month by co-organizers Carissa Miller and Ana Ortega, seeks to raise $10,000 for his legal defense and family.
As of Tuesday morning, about $9,800 had been raised, the site shows.
“On June 24th my close friend and neighbor, Paco, was abducted by ICE,” the fundraising narrative reads. “He was pulled over while riding passenger and removed from the vehicle without a warrant or receiving any information about why he was being detained.”
His wife tried to film the situation, but ICE wouldn’t let her or answer any questions, according to the campaign. Paco is being held at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, the narrative reads.
His businesses are for sale.
“We are working hard to sell any assets to bring money in, but it is difficult without Paco here as the business and its assets are in his name,” the campaign reads. “If anyone wants to buy a mechanics shop and business, please let me know!”
They also describe Paco as a wonderful friend and neighbor.
“I have seen him show up for his friends and family in the truest of ways. He came with me to get my first horse, pulled my truck out of a ditch at 11 p.m. when he had to be up at 5 a.m., always made time to stop and say hello even when things were busy and hectic. No matter the weather he would always say it was a perfect day. Even now when we speak on the phone from detention, he said he needed a vacation anyways.”
“I want to show his family and him that they are not alone and even though they have been targeted and persecuted, they are loved and supported by so many more people than the ones that targeted them,” the campaign reads.
The Olympian has reached out to the organizers for more information.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 10:32 AM.
