CHARLOTTESVILLE (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County Sheriff Chan Bryant has issued a release that Tuesday’s apprehension of two individuals in the Albemerle courthouse was not a “raid” and the federal officers did present credentials and paperwork for the arrests at the screening area. Sheriff Bryant they’ve received numerous calls and inquiries since the incident occurred and says the sheriff’s department “is committed to protecting the citizens of Albemarle County and building communities of trust with all individuals we serve.

The release, linked below, says the plainclothes federal agents at the screening area identified themselves with badges and federal credentials with the bailiff upon entry, and none were wearing masks. They expressed they were there to detain two individuals who had general district court cases and showed the bailiff paperwork and photographs of the two, then waited outside the courtroom until the conclusion of each case.

Bryant says the first individual was detained and escorted from the courthouse without incident. In the time between the two cases, a small group had gathered and began videoing the agents. That’s when one of the agents took out a hood and mask and covered his head. The second individual was then taken out of the building by the agents. She continues, “These individuals were identified by the federal agents and taken into custody with paperwork in hand for them. Which would be the same practice whether it be Albemarle or Charlottesville police, state agencies or federal agencies.”

The complete release is below:

Albemarle Sheriff Press Release 04232025