Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt.

It’s been great to see so many of you engaging with us on social media. I really believe in the power of communication, and social media is a great way to share information quickly. But over the last couple of months, I’ve started to notice the tone of some comments and the lack of respect in certain conversations. While I’m all for open dialogue, we need to remember to treat each other with respect. Personal attacks and hurtful comments don’t help anyone. Let’s keep it civil, thoughtful, and productive.

As your sheriff, I take our constitutional rights very seriously. Free speech is one of the cornerstones of our country, but it’s important we use it responsibly. It’s okay to disagree, but let’s keep it respectful. Social media might not always be the best place for every discussion, but we can all work to engage in a more positive way.

I’ve had a lot of questions lately about immigration enforcement. Many have expressed concerns and have even suggested we should be doing more, often pointing to actions taken and statements by the federal government. While I understand where these concerns come from, I want to be clear: no one should ever be judged or targeted based on the color of their skin or their appearance. It’s illegal, immoral, and unethical to profile people like that, and we won’t do it in our office.

Immigration enforcement is a complex issue, and there’s a lot of confusion about the role of local law enforcement. While crossing the border illegally is a federal crime, local law enforcement does not have the authority to arrest someone simply for being undocumented. In Iowa, we can only detain someone if a federal immigration detainer has been issued. For now, we will continue to do what we’ve always done, focus on enforcing local laws and protecting our community. We’ll work with immigration authorities, but our primary focus will remain on addressing those who are committing crimes in Tama County until we have more clarity. I’ll keep the public informed as we receive more clarity from federal authorities.

On a much tougher note, I want to address something that makes my stomach turn: a recent child pornography case our office investigated, where we worked alongside the FBI and other local law enforcement agencies. It’s heartbreaking to know these kinds of crimes are still happening, but we will not stand for it. We’re committed to making sure those responsible are held accountable. We’re also going to be stepping up our efforts with the Sex Offender Registry (SOR) requirements, to include more spot checks and home visits. We all need to stay vigilant. If you see something, say something. That’s how we can work together to keep Tama County safe.

Now, on a more positive note, I’m excited to share that we’re planning a K9 fundraiser for late May or early June. The exact date and time might change a bit, but that’s the target we’re shooting for. Deputy Wall will be heading to K9 school in August, and we’re hoping to raise the necessary funds to make this happen. It would be awesome to see the community come together to support this effort. K9s are vital tools in law enforcement, and with your help, we can make sure our K9 unit has everything they need to serve and protect Tama County.

Until next month!

Casey Schmidt (R-Dysart) is Sheriff of Tama County, Iowa. He took office in 2025.