Dodge County sues Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi after investigators say records contradict claimed 40‑hour ICE detention
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt has filed a lawsuit accusing Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi of fabricating a roughly 40‑hour ICE detention; investigators say CBP logs, hotel folios, surveillance and messages place her at O’Hare and a Rosemont hotel instead.
- Sheriff’s suit alleges Naqvi invented a 40‑hour federal detention and being held at multiple facilities, including Dodge County Jail — a timeline Dodge County disputes. See Fox News.
- CBP records reportedly show Naqvi processed and released at O’Hare the morning of March 5, undermining claims of continuous custody; reported by Fox News.
- Hotel and messages — folio, surveillance and WhatsApp messages place Naqvi at a Rosemont Hampton Inn from March 5–8 and using services, per records cited in the county’s complaint (Fox News).
- Broader context — the episode drew social comparisons to the Jussie Smollett case; background and related coverage include CBS, Wikipedia and WTTW.
Investigation timeline and records cited by Dodge County
Background: Sheriff Dale Schmidt says his office opened a detailed inquiry after Naqvi’s claims spread online and drew attention from public figures. Investigators requested and reviewed records from federal and local agencies to verify whether the alleged transfers and detention occurred.
CBP logs cited in the county complaint show Naqvi entered secondary inspection at O’Hare International Airport at approximately 10:46 a.m. on March 5 and was released about 11:42 a.m. the same morning; the agency reported she was not detained or transferred after leaving the airport (Fox News).
Just over an hour after her reported CBP release, Naqvi checked into a Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont at 1:17 p.m. on March 5, according to the hotel folio. The folio lists room charges and purchases from March 5–8 and investigators say surveillance video places her at the hotel during that window (Fox News).
Electronic messages and activity
Investigators point to WhatsApp messages from March 5–8 that show Naqvi actively communicating about food, work and routine matters. Officials say the messages include requests to use a card to order food and references to spa services — items inconsistent with being held in custody without such amenities.
“Now, I don’t know about you, and my staff have never reported one — there is no spa at Broadview in Chicago, Illinois,” Sheriff Schmidt said. “I can also tell you there is no spa lady in our jail here in Dodge County.” (Quoted in Fox News.)
No record in Dodge County custody
Dodge County officials state there is no record of booking, detention or release for Naqvi in county custody. The sheriff’s office reports there was no coordination with federal or out‑of‑state agencies to transfer or hold Naqvi in Dodge County Jail and that she was never in local custody.
Sheriff Schmidt’s intent in filing the lawsuit, officials say, was to present documentary evidence and a timeline to counter what they describe as a viral but unverified narrative.
Lawsuit details and challenged public statements
The complaint not only disputes Naqvi’s account but also addresses public statements that amplified the claims. The suit specifically challenges comments by Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who alleged a coordinated transport of Naqvi and others across state lines and accused local officials of a cover‑up. Dodge County’s filing lays out its investigative timeline and documentary evidence to rebut those assertions (Fox News).
Public reaction and the Jussie Smollett comparison
The story circulated quickly on social platforms. Accounts such as Libs of Chicago framed the episode as a “Jussie Smollett‑type” incident, and others described it as a “Jussie Smollett‑esque hoax.” The Department of Homeland Security previously stated Naqvi’s claims were false; social amplification demonstrates how unverified allegations can spread and prompt political and media scrutiny (Fox News).
Context: The Smollett case refers to the 2019 incident in Chicago in which authorities alleged the actor staged an attack and later faced criminal and civil actions; for context see coverage by CBS, a background summary on Wikipedia, and Illinois Supreme Court reporting at WTTW.
Implications for Los Angeles: practical, political and social
Officials and community leaders in Los Angeles can draw several lessons from the Dodge County filing:
- Economic impact: False claims trigger subpoenas, records requests and legal actions that consume scarce public resources.
- Political consequences: Elected officials who repeat unverified allegations risk lawsuits and damage to credibility; local leaders may become more cautious.
- Social effects: Fabricated reports can erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, deterring reporting of real abuses.
- Cultural relevance: High‑profile comparisons (e.g., Jussie Smollett) shape public response and media framing in cities with active advocacy and press communities.
Practical steps for Los Angeles residents, journalists and leaders:
- Emphasize verification of detention claims before publicizing them.
- Provide guidance on preserving records (receipts, messages, surveillance requests) and using trusted legal/community channels.
- Encourage newsrooms and platforms to seek official records from agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and local jails before amplification.
Sources
- Fox News report on the Dodge County lawsuit and investigation
- CBS News on Jussie Smollett case and related civil claim
- Wikipedia summary of the Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax (background)
- Illinois Supreme Court coverage of Smollett decision (WTTW)
Journalistic note: Dodge County officials provided records and statements to support their timeline. Public comments from Sheriff Dale Schmidt and referenced social media posts were included in investigative filings and public news releases cited above.
