ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stated that the agency will prosecute the two bystanders who tried to block the detention of one of two men who were taken from Albemarle County General District Court on April 22, 2025.

In response, two state lawmakers have filed a FOIA request to see if the Albemarle Police Department played a role in the men’s detainment. Sheriff Chan Bryant has stated that her office knew nothing until three ICE agents presented paperwork that identified them to a bailiff upon entering the courthouse. The three did not flash badges.

State Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Katrina Callsen are the ones who filed a request to see any paperwork pertaining to involvement. So far it’s not known if any exists.

Deeds notes that video obtained by The Daily Progress shows the ICE officers ignoring the bystanders’ request to see identification.

“Certainly, if you see your neighbor being assaulted you are probably going to intervene,” says Deeds.

When one of the three agents approached the suspect, the first bystander stepped between the agent and the suspect with her hands resting across her chest, facing the suspect. The agent then stepped to her side and quietly said, “Ma’am, excuse me, you cannot impede me in my lawful duty because that is a crime. Do you understand me?” At that point the agent was gently touching the right side of her upper torso from behind, at which time she backed off to the side

Things changed when the second woman walked forward and faced the agent.

“Do not touch me or impede me in my lawful duties, ma’am,” he said, his voice raised. “It is a crime for you to do so.”

“Why?” she asked. “Do you have a warrant for his arrest? Do you have a warrant for his arrest?!”

“Get off me or I am calling the U.S. attorney and prosecuting you for assault on an officer,” he stated. “Back up!”

At that point, it is impossible to see who touched who first. When the two came back into the camera’s view, the agent had the detainee by the arm with the agent and the woman entangled and facing each other. The detainee escaped the agent’s grip, at which time the agent is seen grabbing the woman by her upper arms, lifting her up and lurching her several feet forward.

“Where is the warrant for his arrest?! Show us the warrant,” she said. “You need an arrest warrant signed by a judge!”

By this time, the agent wearing a ski mask entered the exchange, holding the detainee with his second hand apparently holding the woman’s backpack. The third officer is seen on the other edge lightly grabbing and letting go of the woman’s forearm, which was raised into the air. The first officer is seen raising his lifted hand, palm backward, toward the woman to push her raised arm away from him. The woman simultaneously pulled her hand across her chest. The women then stepped back several feet, at which time the detainee was arrested, handcuffed and taken out of the courthouse.

“I did not see an assault,” says Deeds. “But honesty, I wasn’t there, and I think it’s too early to speculate on any potential charges. I’ve read that ICE says they’re going to prosecute but I guess we’ll have to see if that’s going to happen.”

He then goes on to say, “To suggest that members of the public that responded are going to be prosecuted is just silly, in my view.”