Leftist Activists Interfere with Arrest of Illegal Aliens By Federal Agents In Albemarle County, Virginia

When a public defender decided to video his client being arrested by Homeland Security agents in a courthouse lobby area following the dispostion of two assault charges, anti-ICE activists who had been outside the Albemarle County Courthouse entered the building and began to interfere with the federal agents. Video shows clearly that the federal officers were pushed aside as they began to handcuff Tedor Dominguez Rodriguez. The video has clear audio of the officer warning an unidentified woman to not assault him or interfere under the promise of federal prosecution.

VPM News Provided False Information to Readers

Several media outlets proclaimed that the officers failed to show any warrants and were acting illegally. VPM, affiliated with NPR, made it clear to their readers the unidentified federal agents failed to show any ID.

Teodoro DOMINGUEZ-Rodriguez was encountered by Border Patrol Agents near San Manuel,
Texas on January 16, 2019. When questioned as to his citizenship, defendant stated that he was a citizen and national of Honduras, who had entered the United States illegally on January 11, 2019 by rafting across the Rio Grande River near the Brownsville, Texas Port of Entry. He was found guilty and sentenced to serve sixty days in jail with credit for time served.

Hystronics by Public Defender Not Supported by Facts

Daily Progress reported statements from public defender that proved to be erroneous, as the federal agents properly presented credentials, documents on arrest of illegal aliens and photos to court security officials.

What alarmed Nicholas Reppucci, head of the Charlottesville Office of the Public Defender, is that the enforcers called in to detain the two men in the city Tuesday morning were wearing plain clothes and did not display badges or arrest warrants.

“It’s horrifying for the person being detained,” Reppucci told The Daily Progress. “It’s horrifying for the community members watching it.”

“It is highly alarming that ICE would show up to court and detain persons whose charges were dismissed without identifying themselves, without producing warrants or any sort of information to corroborate who they were, or any sort of explanation,” said Reppucci.

He called the action “a public policy mistake” and accused ICE of “taking over a state agency with federal force.”

 

Albemarle County Sheriff Chan R. Bryant issued a statement that clarified that the federal officers identified themselves, showed identication and creditionals and provided documents on the two persons they intended to obtain from the building.

In the wake of recent events in the Albemarle County courthouse, I would like to let you know that the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting the citizens of Albemarle County and building communities of trust with all individuals we serve.

As Sheriff of Albemarle County, it is my responsibility to provide courthouse and courtroom security. There have been a lot of questions being asked about the incident that occurred in the courthouse April 22, 2025, which was reported with a video by The Daily Progress. The three plain clothes federal agents identified themselves with their badges and federal credentials with the bailiff before proceeding through the screening area. When the agents were presenting their identification and credential none of the agents were wearing any face coverings. The agents informed the bailiffs at that time that they were there to detain two individuals who had court cases in the Albemarle County General District Court. The federal agents showed the bailiff their paperwork and photographs of the individuals they were looking for and waited outside the courtroom until the conclusion of each case. The first individual was detained and escorted out of the building without incident and the agents proceeded to wait for the second individual. During the time between the two individual cases a small group had gathered and began videoing the federal agents. When the federal agents became the subject of individual recording them, one of the agents put on a hood to cover his face. After the conclusion of the second individuals court hearing, he was detained by federal authorities and escorted out of the building.

I want to be clear to the citizens of Albemarle County that the safety and security of the citizens and its courts are the top priority of our office. At no time was this a raid of the courthouse. These individuals were identified by the federal agents and taken into custody with paperwork in hand for them. Which would be the same practice whether it be Albemarle or Charlottesville police, state agencies or federal agencies.

The Albemarle County court complex is a public building and as such, the only individuals who can prohibit entry would be the Judges therein.

The Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office does not have legal authority to enforce federal immigration. Immigration enforcement falls within the jurisdiction of federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office does not have any contact with federal agencies regarding any individuals who have court cases. Any questions or concerns about civil immigration enforcement activities in or around courthouses should be forwarded to the Department of Homeland security and the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies.

Respectfully,

Chan R. Bryant

TEODORO DOMINGUEZ RODIGUEZ complaint for illegal entry into USA in 2019.