[Karah Rucker]

INDIANA’S REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SUING A LOCAL SHERIFF AND THE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT –

SAYING THEY ARE REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE CLAIMS IN THE LAWSUIT AREN’T TRUE.

“Its sad, but local law enforcement here has become part of the problem. A big part. And i refuse as your attorney general to just stand by.” 

THAT’S ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA –

ANNOUNCING THE LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST “SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY SHERIFF WILLIAM REDMAN” AND THE SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IN THE LAWSUIT –

ROKITA SAYS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL AUTHORITIES INCLUDING REFUSING TO HONOR “ICE DETAINERS” –

WHICH IS A NOTICE FROM FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ASKING LOCAL JAILS TO NOTIFY THEM WHEN A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY IS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED FROM CUSTODY.

ROKITA ALSO SAYS IN THE LAWSUIT – HE SENT SEVERAL NOTICES TO THE SHERIFF.

THE LAWSUIT HAS TRIGGERED A PUBLIC – AND HEATED – BACK AND FORTH OVER THE CLAIMS.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT POSTED THIS RESPONSE TO ITS FACEBOOK PAGE – READING IN PART –

THE INDIANA AG once again decided to hold a press conference before even making us aware of the lawsuit. At the time of this posting, we have yet to even receive a copy of the lawsuit.

He stated he talked to Sheriff Redman multiple times, which is false. The Sheriff has never even spoken to Todd Rokita.

He stated that we do not cooperate with ICE, which is false. We regularly communicate with ICE. When the jail receives a detainer or request from ICE, staff promptly informs immigration officials when that individual will be released on their criminal charges for detainment by ICE.

We also remind the Attorney General that neither state or federal law require the Sheriff or the Jail to enforce federal immigration laws. Sheriff and the department fully comply with all state and federal laws

THE DAY AFTER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S POST DEFENDING ITSELF –

ROKITA RESPONDED IN A SERIES OF POSTS ON X.

FIRST ADDRESSING CLAIMS OVER NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE SHERIFF –

ROKITA POSTED SCREENSHOTS OF TWO LETTERS SENT TO SHERIFF REDMAN AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER OF 2024.

THE CAPTION READ “We put St. Joseph County Sheriff Redman fully on-notice regarding his failure to comply with our immigration laws.”

THEN ROKITA POSTED THIS SCREENSHOT OF A “NON-COOPERATIVE INSTITUTIONS” LIST BY ICE – HIGHLIGHTING SAINT JOSEPH ON THE LIST.

THE CAPTION READ “Sheriff Redman may claim that his department regularly communicates with ICE, but the truth is he isn’t cooperating or complying with the law like he’s supposed to.

THE LAWSUIT STATES ICE VERIFIED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE THAT SAINT JOSEPH POLICE “FAILED TO HONOR NINE DETAINER REQUESTS” BETWEEN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR –

AND THEN ANOTHER FOUR DETAINER REQUESTS WENT IGNORED SINCE DECEMBER 10TH.

THE SHERIFF HAS NOT COMMENTED ON THE LAWSUIT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT OFFERED FURTHER COMMENT FROM ITS EARLIER FACEBOOK POST.

OTHER COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE RESPONDED TO THE CLAIMS IN THE LAWSUIT.

SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART –

“As St. Joseph County’s chief executives, we are seriously concerned about what IN Attorney General Todd Rokita has brought to light. Failing to honor detainment requests for individuals who have committed serious crimes is reckless and a threat to all of us. Law enforcement is not above the law.”

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