Alderman Claims Assault, Wrongful Detention by Federal Agents

BREAKING: Alderman Maria Fuentes has filed a shocking complaint, alleging she was assaulted and wrongfully detained by federal agents at Humboldt Health Hospital on October 3, 2023. This urgent claim, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, details a harrowing incident where Fuentes was allegedly shoved, handcuffed, and threatened by agents while investigating the arrest of a detainee.

According to Fuentes, she was called to the hospital by concerned staff when federal agents arrived with a detainee who reportedly resisted arrest during an immigration operation. Upon questioning the agents about the judicial warrant for the detainee’s arrest, Fuentes alleges she was met with hostility—shoved and grabbed by the agents before being handcuffed and forcibly removed from the premises.

In a powerful statement, Fuentes condemned the actions of the federal agents:

“Federal agents have been deployed to our city in an effort to create chaos, violate individuals’ constitutional rights, and unjustly separate families. Federal agents are not above the law, and we must hold them accountable,”

Fuentes stated.

Her attorney, Jan Susler, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating,

“It is indeed a frightening time, when unidentified federal agents shove, grab, handcuff, and detain an elected official in the exercise of her duties.”

Susler highlighted the need for accountability, asserting that Fuentes is standing up for herself and her community.

The complaint alleges that the agents intentionally inflicted emotional distress and wrongfully detained Fuentes. In response to the incident, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, defended the actions of the federal agents. She stated that during the operation, there were over two dozen individuals who attempted to breach the hospital, which led to the use of tear gas and pepper balls to disperse the crowd.

McLaughlin asserted, “Our brave officers are facing a surge in increase in assaults against them… This violence against law enforcement must END. We will not be deterred by rioters and protesters in keeping America safe.”

This developing situation raises significant concerns about the treatment of elected officials and the conduct of federal law enforcement during immigration operations. The implications of this incident are profound as it underscores the tension between local governance and federal enforcement actions.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the response from local authorities and the federal government. What happens next in this high-stakes confrontation between an elected official and federal agents remains to be seen. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.