“Our response and our partnership with the sheriff’s department and our federal law enforcement partners was specifically related to the violence and the crime that was taking place at Sabor, and our attempt to get that under control and maintain the safety of the community that our residents expect,” said Maynard.
Issues at Sabor include a 2022 stabbing and a pair of shootings, one on June 8 and one on July 27, which have been the most egregious of the problems. The Journal-News have requested reports on the alleged criminal activity at the restaurant or its property. The city has also received complaints from area businesses of patrons spilling into the parking lot, fighting and driving drunk, and causing property damage, the chief said.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
“We decided to take some action and try to curb the violence and get the problem under control,” Maynard said, adding that the city police department is not targeting Latino or Hispanic establishments. “This has nothing to do with the clientele. This has everything to do with the crime that has been taking place, directly related to the club.”
Multiple law enforcement groups involved
Fairfield police asked for the sheriff’s department and multiple federal agencies for assistance, specifically ICE, “because we knew the two shootings we investigated down there, the majority of the people involved with those were in the country illegally, and they were difficult to identify. We had to reach out to them and request their assistance.”
Based on experience, Maynard said his investigators knew they would need the help of federal agencies to help with identifications, specifically with the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Our focus was on Sabor,” said Maynard. “The majority of the traffic stops that occurred that evening or criminal arrests were directly related to people who were at or going to Sabor.”
On Aug. 16, the Fairfield Police Department led the operation at Sabor. While the police chief would not discuss operational details, he confirmed all arrests were made outside the establishment.
About Sabor Peruano
Sabor Peruano is a nightclub and restaurant on the southern end of Dixie Highway (Ohio 4) near the Hamilton County border. It’s in the same plaza as the Ohio Valley Antique Mall, Lambadi City Tattoos and Wendy’s. The establishment is on the northern end of the plaza and has an attached nightclub entrance called Rumba Bar Latino.
The Journal-News confirmed the two sides are connected inside. The restaurant was operational on Friday afternoon, with patrons eating in and carrying out food. A manager or owner was not available to talk with the Journal-News on Friday.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones called the operation “probably the biggest” roundup of immigrants in the country illegally in Ohio this year.
Of the 39 people arrested or detained, six face state charges other than what’s called a “holder” for the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office has contracted with ICE to hold people who are detained for being in the country illegally.
All 39 individuals were arrested and taken to the Butler County Jail. On Thursday, Aug. 21, all but six were still in the Butler County Jail on the ICE hold, with five others having criminal charges levied.
Probably biggest round up of illegal aliens in Ohio.
— Richard K. Jones (@butlersheriff) August 22, 2025
A statement from the Fairfield Police Department issued Thursday indicated the investigation was coordinated with the BCSO, ICE, the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The BCSO issued a statement saying, “All individuals were identified as being in the United States illegally and are currently being held pending further action by federal immigration authorities.”
While Fairfield said the operation was focused on the violence and criminal activity impacting the community, the Butler County sheriff said he will continue to work with ICE and other local law enforcement agencies “to aggressively identify, detain, and remove individuals unlawfully present in this country.”
“Butler County will not be a sanctuary,” Jones said. “We will continue to enforce the law, protect our citizens, and hold accountable those who break it.”
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Photojournalist Nick Graham contributed to this story.
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