New Developments in Laramie County Immigration Arrest Case
Following a recent change of approach, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has released video footage pertaining to an immigration arrest that prompted a lawsuit from Richter Immigration Services. Attorney Drake Hill, representing the law firm, reported this development during a hearing on Thursday.
Kevin Lewis, an investigator with Richter Immigration Services, confirmed he received a thumb drive containing the footage but had not yet reviewed it. Laramie County Attorney Mark Voss, who provides legal counsel to the sheriff’s office, noted that the drive also included additional reports from the deputy involved in the arrest.
The backdrop of the hearing involves a lawsuit filed last month by Richter Immigration Services and Lewis, a local resident, against the sheriff’s office. The plaintiffs allege that the sheriff’s office obstructed access to key evidence in an ongoing deportation case and released an inaccurate report regarding the arrest of Mario Fabian Valenzuela Robles, a Mexican national and long-term Laramie County resident with three children. His arrest occurred after being stopped by a sheriff’s deputy.
The complaint claims that the sheriff’s office hindered access to records related to Valenzuela Robles’ arrest, which could potentially jeopardize ongoing court proceedings in Colorado. Hill emphasized that the obstruction of access to such records reflects serious misconduct within law enforcement.
In response to these allegations, the sheriff’s office indicated they had yet to receive confirmation from the complainants regarding their representation of Valenzuela Robles, a requirement for releasing the requested video footage. Despite a letter submitted by Lewis on Richter Immigration Services’ letterhead, it lacked a formal declaration of representation for the detained individual.
During the hearing, Laramie County Judge Robin S. Cooley mandated Sheriff Brian Kozak to appear and explain his office’s limitations regarding access to the requested arrest records. In attendance were Kozak, key aides Perry Rockvam and Aaron Ferdia, and several observers, including Cindy Hill.
At the request of Immigration Attorney Luis Richter, Judge Cooley instructed the sheriff’s office to conduct a thorough search for additional records relating to Valenzuela Robles’ arrest. She urged both parties to collaborate on establishing relevant search terms to ensure transparency moving forward. Furthermore, the judge ordered an “in camera” review of specific records requested by the plaintiffs, allowing her to determine their legality for release.
While Wyoming law does not mandate police to publicize recordings, government agencies may be required to release such footage via court order. Voss, legal advisor to the sheriff’s office, elaborated on the skepticism surrounding the release of digital records, emphasizing the potential long-term consequences of such disclosures.
Future Actions and Policies
In light of ongoing litigation, Sheriff Kozak indicated that future in-person video inspections would only occur under court order. He stated that this decision was made to minimize confusion about record requests and to streamline processing.
Kozak also pledged to formalize a statement clarifying the agency’s policy regarding video inspections and the necessity for a court order. Voss admitted that the agency receives approximately 40 records requests daily, complicating the determination of what can be legally released. He expressed regret over the delays faced by Richter Immigration Services and acknowledged the challenges faced by Valenzuela Robles.
The hearing did not address discrepancies between the original and revised reports concerning Valenzuela Robles’ arrest. Kozak had previously explained that inaccuracies in the original report stemmed from a copy-and-paste error. To prevent similar incidents in the future, the department is considering creating a template for arrest reports.
Meanwhile, Perry, the sheriff’s chief of staff, noted that the department is actively reviewing its policies in collaboration with personnel and the county attorney’s office to ensure clarity in fulfilling records requests.
Richter Immigration Services is seeking penalties against the sheriff’s office in its complaint, but it remains uncertain whether any disciplinary action will be taken. Additionally, the sheriff’s office is currently facing a separate lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union regarding its immigration contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising further legal complexities.
The situation remains fluid as both the agency and the plaintiffs navigate the intricacies of these legal challenges.
This article was originally published by WyoFile and is republished here with permission. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on the people, places, and policies of Wyoming.
