ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WWJ) - A high-ranking Department of Homeland Security official is at the center of an unspecified investigation after his home was the subject of an intense federal raid on Friday.
Neighbors and local law enforcement confirmed the raid happened at the Special Agent in Charge, Vance Callender's Royal Oak home, just east of the downtown area around 9 p.m. on Jan. 28.
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Witnesses told The Detroit News that around 15 agents with unmarked clothing, but visible badges and firearms, started to appear out of a dozen vehicles on Blair Ave. They each had three to four rolling suitcases that agents took with them into the house.
When agents left the Callender's home six hours later, they left with the same suitcases. Witness did not see the agents carrying any other items, such as bags or boxes, which may have contained evidence.
The investigation into the high-ranking federal agent raised many eyebrows among those in the federal law enforcement community. Callendar, 49, is not only in charge of protecting the U.S. boarder with Canada, he also heads up a department that investigates crimes related to customs laws, immigration, child pornography and sex trafficking.
Details surrounding what prompted the investigation remain unclear. Callender has not been charged with any crime at this time.
A spokeswoman for the FBI has neither denied or confirmed the bureau's involvement in the raid.
The Detroit News was told by a spokeswoman with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that they would not discuss the details of Callender's employment status.
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"As public servants working for a law enforcement agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) takes allegations of misconduct very seriously," the spokeswoman said to The Detroit News.
"Any allegations of misconduct are appropriately investigated, and any employee, regardless of rank or seniority, who has committed provable misconduct, will be held accountable. Where necessary, ICE works with federal and/or state and local law enforcement who may investigate such allegations. Per agency protocol, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) will also review the allegations.”
Keith Corbett, a criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor who was chief of the federal Organized Crime Strike Force in Detroit, told The Detroit News that "this is a terrible look for him and the department."
"The search makes me think the investigation is fairly far along," Corbett said. "You don’t just get a search warrant. You have to establish a crime was committed, that there is evidence of the crime and probable cause to believe evidence is at the location you are seeking to search."
Callender has worked over 26 years in the law enforcement community, serving communities in New York, Mexico, Jamaica and Texas. He has been in charge of operations in Michigan and Ohio for two years. He previously worked as the department's Operations Chief for foregin countries, Mexico, Canada and Europe.