FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – On behalf of nonprofit community organization Buen Vecino, the First Amendment Coalition, with attorneys Gregory Pleasants and Shaffy Moeel, filed a Public Records Act lawsuit against Ventura County and its sheriff to compel disclosure of video footage showing what deputy sheriffs did at a controversial immigration enforcement operation.
On July 10, federal agencies raided Glass House Farms in what Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the time called it “one of the largest operations since President Trump took office.” During the raid, federal officials requested help from the Ventura County sheriff’s department. According to a statement by the sheriff, the department sent a “tactical response team” to “keep the peace between protestors and federal agents.” The sheriff disclaimed any intent to “participate in immigration raids.”
During the raid, one person died after falling from a greenhouse roof, and more than 300 individuals were arrested. Federal officers tear-gassed protestors. Elected officials denounced the raid, which was widely covered by local and national press.
Weeks later, Buen Vecino asked the sheriff’s department for copies of “any and all body-worn camera footage, including audio, video, or photographs recorded at or in relation to the operation.” The department denied the request, contending the footage was exempt from disclosure as a record of a law enforcement investigation.
“We don’t know why the Sheriff’s Office has tried to block transparency to the actions of it’s officers at the Glass House raid, but there is tremendous public interest and we demand that they fulfill their obligation to release these records,” said Willie Lubka, Executive Director, Buen Vecino.
The lawsuit argues that the investigatory records exemption does not apply to this case because the sheriff said the officers were present to keep the peace, not to investigate any alleged crimes.
“Especially in light of California law that limits the ability of local agencies to participate in immigration enforcement, the people have a compelling interest in full transparency in knowing exactly what the sheriff’s deputies did,” said David Loy, FAC’s legal director.
“Transparency is our first line of defense against the racial profiling and excessive force that too often accompany federal immigration raids,” said Pleasants and Moeel. “Californians deserve to know precisely how local deputies responded — not just the official story. Buen Vecino’s lawsuit is a demand for the truth.”
Buen Vecino v. County of Ventura was filed in Superior Court, County of Ventura.