Multiple Zipps Sports Grills, including one on South Mill Avenue near the Tempe campus, were searched by federal agents on Jan. 26 after a months-long criminal investigation, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.
Fifteen locations across the Phoenix area were served with federal search warrants, which were authorized based on details given to a federal judge, according to the statement. The warrants are being executed by Homeland Security Investigations Arizona as part of a criminal investigation into felony violations of federal law, the statement said.
There were multiple law enforcement groups involved in the searches, one being U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a statement sent to The State Press from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
"ICE HSI Arizona led the execution of over a dozen criminal federal search warrants at multiple Zipps Grille restaurants, resulting in the arrest of more than 35 illegal aliens," the statement said. "This ongoing investigation is focused on several federal law violations including unlawful employment of aliens, identity theft, and document fraud. HSI Arizona conducted the operation with several law enforcement partners to include the IRS-CI, ERO, US Marshals and Border Patrol."
The investigation is still ongoing, with federal law enforcement continuing to gather evidence. Information will be reviewed and evaluated to determine appropriate charging, the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona said.
According to an Instagram post from Zipps Sports Grill on Jan. 27, officials have not announced allegations or charges, nor have they shared details regarding the investigation.
"We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and working closely with our attorneys to understand the scope of the inquiry," the post said.
Though the initial post said that all locations are closed, a following post from the restaurant's account said that its location on East Warner Road in Tempe would be reopening at 11 a.m. Jan. 28.
The Tempe Police Department did not participate in the investigation or execution of the search warrants, according to a Tempe PD spokesperson.
This story was updated at 10:40 a.m. on Jan. 28 to add information from Instagram posts made by Zipps Sports Grill and a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This story is developing and may be updated.
Senna James and Jack McCarthy contributed to this story.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Sophia Braccio, Katrina Michalak and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at hjsmardo@gmail.com and follow @HenryJSmardo on X.
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Henry is a senior studying journalism and mass communication. This is his fifth semester with The State Press. He has also interned with the JUCO World Series, KREX 5/Fox 4, and Cronkite's Brand Engagement and Communications Team.
