Former Iranian Army Sniper Arrested in Blount County Now in ICE Custody
Blount County- A man arrested in Blount County over the weekend is now in federal custody after immigration authorities say he was found carrying identification linking him to the Iranian military. The case has drawn national attention amid ongoing immigration enforcement actions and growing tensions related to U.S.-Iran relations. Reports are Iran has called for the assasination of President Donald Trump.
Ribvar Karimi, 33, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Sunday, June 22, in Locust Fork. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Karimi is a former sniper who served in the Iranian Army from 2018 to 2021. During his arrest, officials say he was found in possession of an Islamic Republic of Iran Army identification card.
Karimi legally entered the United States in October 2024 on a K-1 fiancé visa. He married Locust Fork native Morgan Gardner in January 2025. However, DHS officials say Karimi did not complete the required adjustment of status process to obtain permanent residency after the marriage, a necessary step under U.S. immigration law. As a result, he is considered removable and is now being held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
The arrest is part of a broader federal effort that resulted in the detention of 11 Iranian nationals across the U.S. over the weekend. Federal authorities have emphasized their focus on identifying and removing individuals they classify as known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists.
