Dodge County Sheriff sues Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi, calling alleged 40‑hour ICE detention a fabricated ICE detention hoax likened to Jussie Smollett
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt filed a federal lawsuit accusing Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi of fabricating a roughly 40‑hour ICE detention account, saying hotel, CBP and communication records contradict her claims and accusing a Cook County official of amplifying them.
Key takeaways
- Sheriff files federal suit: Dale Schmidt accuses Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi of inventing a ~40‑hour immigration detention, including alleged custody at Dodge County Jail. (Source)
- CBP timeline: Records show Naqvi entered secondary inspection at O’Hare at 10:46 a.m. March 5 and was released about 11:42 a.m., with no federal detention or transfer after that point. (Source)
- Hotel and messages: Hampton Inn folio entries and WhatsApp messages place Naqvi at a Rosemont hotel March 5–8 and include references to daily activity and spa services. (Source)
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Investigation timeline and evidence
Minute‑by‑minute reconstruction: Sheriff Schmidt’s office says investigators compiled a detailed timeline using records from multiple agencies that, the complaint alleges, directly contradict Naqvi’s account of being held roughly 40 hours and transferred between facilities.
CBP records cited in the complaint show Naqvi entered secondary inspection at Chicago O’Hare at 10:46 a.m.11:42 a.m.Source)
Hotel folio documentation from the Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont shows a check‑in at 1:17 p.m.Source)
Digital communications and contradictions
Investigators reviewed WhatsApp messages dated March 5–8 that show Naqvi actively communicating about routine matters — food, work and daily arrangements — and at one point asking to use a card to order food. Messages referencing spa services were highlighted by the sheriff’s office as particularly inconsistent with Naqvi’s claims, since investigators say there is no spa at the Dodge County Jail or at the Broadview facility in Chicago referenced by Naqvi. (Source)
Sheriff’s office findings and legal action
Schmidt’s office reports no records of booking, detention, release, coordination with federal or out‑of‑state agencies, jail video, paperwork or witness testimony connecting Naqvi to custody in Dodge County. Phone location data reviewed by investigators, the complaint says, also fails to place her in local custody.
“Fact versus fiction” — Sheriff Schmidt said he filed the suit after weeks of investigation to present verified records in response to widely circulated allegations.
Given those findings, Schmidt filed a federal complaint to correct the public record and address reputational harms the sheriff’s office asserts arose from the allegations. The complaint also names Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, alleging he publicly amplified claims that Naqvi and others were transported across state lines by immigration agents and accusing the sheriff’s office of a cover‑up. (Source)
Social media reaction and the Smollett comparison
Online reaction was swift. Accounts such as Libs of Chicago and other users compared the episode to the Jussie Smollett case, calling it a “Jussie Smollett‑esque hoax.” The Smollett episode — in which investigators said the actor staged an assault and which resulted in felony convictions later overturned on procedural grounds — has become a reference point in debates about false allegations, media amplification and political fallout. (Source)
Context on Naqvi’s past allegations
The complaint references prior incidents investigators say were unsubstantiated, including an earlier false sexual assault report. Schmidt’s filing frames the suit as part of a pattern that, investigators contend, warranted a formal rebuttal once amplified publicly. (Source)
Implications for Utah
Economic impact: Fabricated immigration‑detention claims can affect trust in processes that drive labor verification and business planning. Utah industries that rely on foreign workers could see added scrutiny and compliance costs if such claims spread.
Political consequences: In Utah’s conservative climate, a highly publicized hoax could harden skepticism toward immigration advocacy claims and be cited in calls for stricter verification standards before officials or media amplify detention allegations.
Social effects: False reports risk inflaming community tensions and eroding trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, potentially slowing responses to legitimate complaints.
Practical applications: Officials and community leaders in Utah can use this lawsuit to review coordination protocols with federal agencies, document verifiable timelines, and encourage reporting through official channels rather than social platforms.
What to watch next
- The federal lawsuit will proceed in court; filings and evidence there will be public records for media and officials to review. (Source)
- The FBI and Illinois State Police have received the sheriff’s findings; any agency action or public statements could shift the investigation. (Source)
- Responses from Naqvi and Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison in court filings or statements will be central to how the public narrative evolves. (Source)
Reporting notes and sources
This article is based on the Dodge County Sheriff’s complaint and public statements, federal CBP records cited by investigators, hotel folio and surveillance information cited by the sheriff’s office, WhatsApp message records referenced by investigators, and media reporting on the case. Primary public reporting used: Fox News coverage of the sheriff’s announcement and suit. Background on the Jussie Smollett case is available at Wikipedia.
