Wisconsin sheriff sues girl over alleged pretend ICE detention hoax

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A hoax drawing comparisons to Jussie Smollett's case is on the heart of a lawsuit after a Wisconsin sheriff mentioned a girl fabricated a 40-hour ICE detention , with investigators pointing to lodge data, surveillance video and textual content messages that contradict her claims.

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt introduced the authorized motion following a weekslong investigation into claims by Sundas "Sunny" Naqvi that she was held by federal authorities in Illinois and Wisconsin, together with on the Dodge County Jail.

These allegations, first raised publicly final month, claimed Naqvi, a U.S. citizen from Skokie, Illinois, was detained at O’Hare Worldwide Airport, transferred to an Illinois facility and later transported throughout state traces to Wisconsin, the place she was allegedly held and launched with out documentation.

The allegations shortly gained traction on-line, the place some commentators drew comparisons to previous high-profile hoaxes, together with the case involving Smollett, an actor who fabricated a story in 2019 that he was the sufferer of a racist and homophobic assault.

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<source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/931/523/ice-detention-claim-slinger-wisconsin-surveillance.png?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1862/1046/ice-detention-claim-slinger-wisconsin-surveillance.png?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> Surveillance footage exhibits Sundas Naqvi inside a Slinger, Wisconsin gasoline station on March 7, contradicting claims she was in ICE custody. (Dodge County Sheriff's Workplace)

The X account Libs of Chicago wrote that "Skokie has themselves their very personal Jussie Smollett," alleging Naqvi lied about being detained by federal authorities. One other consumer equally described the state of affairs as a "Jussie Smollett-esque hoax."

The Division of Homeland Safety beforehand mentioned Naqvi's claims have been "false."

After reviewing data throughout a number of companies, Schmidt mentioned the claims "didn't happen," including that he got down to current "truth versus fiction" after the allegations gained widespread consideration regardless of what he described as an absence of verified proof.

"There is no such thing as a report of reserving, detention, or launch involving Ms. Naqvi in Dodge County," the sheriff’s office mentioned, including there was no coordination with federal or out-of-state companies and that she was by no means in native custody.

The lawsuit additionally particulars statements made by Cook dinner County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who publicly amplified the claims and alleged Naqvi and 5 different people have been transported throughout state traces by immigration brokers — assertions Schmidt disputes. The grievance additional alleges Morrison accused the sheriff’s workplace of a "cowl up" and mentioned officers "have been mendacity from the very begin of this."

Fox Information Digital reached out to Morrison for remark.

Investigators laid out what they describe as a verified timeline that straight contradicts the allegations.

In accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Safety data, Naqvi entered secondary inspection at O’Hare round 10:46 a.m. on March 5 and was launched at roughly 11:42 a.m. Federal authorities say she was not detained or transferred after leaving the airport.

Data present that simply over an hour later, Naqvi checked right into a Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont, Illinois at 1:17 p.m., the place she remained through the interval she later claimed she was in custody.

WATCH: Lodge video exhibits girl inside foyer after alleged ICE detention

The lodge folio paperwork a number of expenses and transactions spanning March 5 by means of March 8, together with room expenses and purchases, additional putting her on the lodge through the alleged detention window.

Investigators additionally pointed to WhatsApp messages from that timeframe, which present Naqvi actively speaking from the lodge — discussing meals, work and every day actions, and at one level asking to make use of a card to order meals.

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Lodge surveillance video exhibits Naqvi inside a Wisconsin lodge shortly after arriving within the state, based on investigators. (Dodge County Sheriff's Workplace)

Schmidt underscored that time with a blunt commentary about messages referencing spa providers.

"Now, I don’t learn about you, and my employees have by no means reported one — there is no such thing as a spa at Broadview in Chicago, Illinois ," Schmidt mentioned. "I also can let you know there is no such thing as a spa girl in our jail right here in Dodge County."

Authorities say Naqvi’s eventual trip to Wisconsin got here later, on March 7, and was voluntary. Surveillance video, license plate reader information and witness statements present her touring from Illinois to Wisconsin with one other particular person — not in legislation enforcement custody.

WATCH: Video exhibits girl inside gasoline station throughout alleged detention

Schmidt mentioned surveillance video exhibits Naqvi at a gasoline station in Slinger round 5:46 a.m. that day — a time he mentioned conflicts with claims she had simply been launched from the Dodge County Jail, roughly 37 minutes away by automotive.

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Investigators additionally challenged cellphone location information cited publicly in help of the claims, saying it doesn't align with the verified timeline.

"There is no such thing as a video, documentation, or witness testimony putting Ms. Naqvi in any Dodge County facility," the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.

"These allegations are severe, however they don't seem to be supported by proof," Schmidt mentioned. "We have now reviewed the data, we've established the timeline, and the info are clear — this didn't occur."

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<source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/931/523/dodge-county-sheriff-schmidt-ice-detention-lawsuit.png?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1862/1046/dodge-county-sheriff-schmidt-ice-detention-lawsuit.png?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt outlines proof throughout a information convention asserting a lawsuit tied to alleged false ICE detention claims. (Dodge County Sheriff's Workplace)

Schmidt added that the timeline offered publicly was "not bodily potential" based mostly on the proof gathered through the investigation.

Schmidt struck a defiant tone as he addressed the fallout from the allegations, saying the claims shortly gained traction and led to backlash towards his workplace.

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"Dodge County just isn't the place you wish to make up a hoax about," Schmidt mentioned.

He blamed the unfold of unverified data for fueling public outrage, displaying hostile messages his workplace acquired and saying his employees had been unfairly labeled as liars.

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"I take it personally when my employees are known as liars," Schmidt mentioned. "These women and men do the job the precise manner day by day, and people accusations are merely not supported by info."

The sheriff’s workplace additionally pointed to prior legislation enforcement investigations involving Naqvi that resulted in findings of unsubstantiated claims, together with a earlier case during which a reported sexual assault was later decided to be false.

WATCH: Fuel station video raises questions on ICE detention timeline

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Whereas officers mentioned legal expenses within the present case could also be tough to pursue, Schmidt mentioned he has filed civil litigation in federal court docket in response to the allegations and their impression.

Schmidt additionally criticized what he described as "coordinated messaging designed to generate outrage and media consideration" following a March 8 information convention the place the allegations have been first amplified.

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Authorities say the findings have been shared with federal and state partners, including the FBI and Illinois State Police, for additional evaluation. Schmidt mentioned the investigation stays energetic.

Schmidt warned that false claims of this nature can carry severe penalties, together with misdirecting legislation enforcement sources, damaging reputations and eroding public belief — points now on the heart of the lawsuit because the case strikes ahead.

Naqvi couldn't be reached for remark and it was not instantly clear if she had an lawyer representing her.

Stepheny Value is a Author at Fox News with a give attention to West Coast and Midwest information, lacking individuals, nationwide and worldwide crime tales, murder instances, and border safety.