Photo by Derek Redd Orange cones are placed across the entrance to the parking lot of the El Paso restaurant at the Highlands.

The United States Department of Homeland Security conducted an investigation Thursday in Ohio County, Ohio County Sheriff Nelson Croft said.

Photographs on social media showed an Ohio County Sheriff’s deputy and several unmarked cars at the El Paso restaurant at The Highlands in Triadelphia. Croft said his information was limited, but he could confirm that DHS was in the county Thursday conducting a federal investigation.

Croft said one of his deputies is HSI certified, meaning that deputy can work on overtime and be paid through Homeland Security. DHS requested assistance from that deputy, and he confirmed to Croft that Homeland Security was in the area conducting investigations.

Shortly after 1 p.m., the El Paso restaurant’s parking lot was empty and the restaurant’s blinds were drawn. Orange cones were placed across the entrance to the parking lot. A phone call made to the restaurant went unanswered.

An inquiry has been made to DHS, but no further information has been released at this time.