Iowa Boy Scout border investigation continues

The U.S. Inspector General's Office is now investigating an incident between a Boy Scout group from Grimes, Iowa and U.S. border protection officers.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection initially started investigating the case but have since handed it over to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.

Jim Fox, leader of Troop 111 from Grimes, said the troop was crossing from Canada to Alaska on July 8 when one scout took a picture of a border officer, prompting the officer to take the boy's camera and warn him that taking pictures of the staff is considered a federal offense. Fox said when one of the scouts went to get a bag for the officer to search, the scout said the officer drew his gun, pointing it at the scout,

Representatives from Customs and Border Protection and the Inspector General's Office met with Boy Scout leaders in Des Moines on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the issue.

'In my judgement, there's no image and indication of a gun at all,” said Robert Hopper, scout executive for the Mid-Iowa Council for Boy Scouts of America.

Hopper said he is encouraging the scouts of Troop 111 to make statements to the investigators so they can fully resolve the issue. He said the Boy Scouts have no investigation underway, but just want to make sure the boys were safe ancd reach a conclusion on the issue.

The Office of Inspector General said they do not discuss ongoing investigations, but can confirm that they are looking into the incident.