Wisconsin sheriff sues woman he says staged “Sunny Naqvi ICE detention hoax,” citing hotel records, video and messages
Lede: A Wisconsin sheriff has filed a federal lawsuit alleging Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi fabricated claims of a roughly 40‑hour ICE detention; investigators say CBP timestamps, hotel records, surveillance video and WhatsApp messages place her elsewhere during the period.
Key takeaways
- Dodge County investigators found no local booking or intake records and concluded the claimed ~40‑hour detention did not occur (Source: Fox News).
- Federal and local evidence place Naqvi at O’Hare and a Rosemont hotel during the timeframe she said she was in custody (Source: Fox News).
- WhatsApp messages and hotel surveillance contradict her account, prompting the sheriff to file civil suit and share findings with federal partners (Source: Fox News).
Main story
What investigators say they found
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt and his investigators reviewed records from multiple agencies and built a timeline that, they say, directly contradicts Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi’s account of being held by federal immigration authorities for roughly 40 hours.
Federal inspection records
CBP records show Naqvi entered secondary inspection at O’Hare on March 5 at about 10:46 a.m. and was released about an hour later at 11:42 a.m. Investigators say those records do not show any transfer or detention that would match her later story (Source: Fox News).
Hotel records and surveillance
Investigators say Naqvi checked into a Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont at 1:17 p.m. on March 5 — just over an hour after her CBP release. Hotel folio documents show room charges and transactions from March 5–8, and surveillance video and hotel records place her at the hotel during the period she later said she was detained (Source: Fox News).
WhatsApp messages
Investigators reviewed contemporaneous WhatsApp messages that, they say, show Naqvi actively communicating about food, work and daily activities — including asking to use a card to order food and referencing spa services. Sheriff Schmidt noted the spa detail as inconsistent with Naqvi’s account of being held at facilities that do not have such services (Source: Fox News).
No local records of detention
Dodge County officials say they found no booking logs, intake paperwork, surveillance footage, witness statements or other documentation indicating Naqvi was ever in local custody. Sheriff Schmidt also said there was no evidence of coordination with federal or out‑of‑state agencies that would support cross‑state transfers (Source: Fox News).
How the case drew attention
Naqvi’s claims that she was held at O’Hare, moved to an Illinois facility and then transported to the Dodge County Jail across state lines drew quick attention online. Some social posts compared the episode to the Jussie Smollett case, calling it a “Jussie Smollett‑esque hoax.”
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison publicly amplified Naqvi’s account, alleging that she and others were transported across state lines by immigration agents. The sheriff’s lawsuit names Morrison, saying his statements alleged a cover‑up and accused local officials of lying; Sheriff Schmidt disputes those claims (Source: Fox News).
Prior complaints and investigations
Schmidt’s office says Naqvi has been involved in earlier law enforcement matters where allegations were later found to be unsubstantiated, including a reported sexual assault that investigators determined to be false. Those prior incidents are cited in the lawsuit to suggest a pattern of unverified allegations (Source: Fox News).
Legal action and investigative status
Schmidt filed a federal lawsuit to present what he calls fact versus fiction after the claims gained broad attention. The sheriff’s office shared its findings with federal and state partners, including the FBI and Illinois State Police. Officials said criminal charges can be difficult to pursue in such matters, but the civil suit was intended to protect the department’s reputation and respond to what they describe as a harmful false narrative (Source: Fox News).
What officials say now
“Not physically possible” — Sheriff Dale Schmidt, summarizing his office’s timeline and the records that contradict Naqvi’s account.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson previously told reporters that Naqvi’s claims were false and that federal inspection records do not show transfers or detentions matching her story. Sheriff Schmidt reiterated that his office found no evidence of coordination between federal authorities and Dodge County related to any detention or transfer (Source: Fox News).
Context: Why investigators focused on timing and records
Investigators emphasize that detentions and transfers leave paper trails — booking logs, custody paperwork, transport records, surveillance video and interagency coordination notes. In this case, the combination of CBP timestamps, hotel folios, surveillance footage and contemporaneous WhatsApp messages formed what Sheriff Schmidt described as a verified timeline that left little room for the events Naqvi described.
Implications for the United States
- Trust in official claims: False or unverified allegations about law enforcement and immigration actions can erode public trust and shape opinion before facts are confirmed (Source: Fox News).
- Law enforcement resources: Investigations responding to high‑profile but unfounded claims require significant time and coordination, diverting resources from other priorities (Source: Fox News).
- Political and legal fallout: When elected officials repeat unverified claims it can lead to litigation, as illustrated by the inclusion of Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison in the suit (Source: Fox News).
- Social media dynamics: Rapid shorthand comparisons (e.g., to the Jussie Smollett hoax) shape public understanding but can oversimplify complex investigations (Source: Fox News).
Reporting note
The sheriff’s office provided investigative findings to federal and state partners. The lawsuit and investigation remain active. News organizations seeking source documents or comments from Naqvi or others named in the complaint should direct requests to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt’s office and the attorneys involved in the federal filing (Source: Fox News).
