Dodge County sheriff sues woman in alleged Dodge County ICE detention hoax after hotel records, messages contradict her story
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt has filed a federal suit against Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi, alleging she fabricated a 40‑hour ICE detention claim; investigators say hotel folios, surveillance and messages place her at a Rosemont hotel, contradicting her account.
Key takeaways
- No Dodge County booking found: Sheriff Dale Schmidt says investigators found no record of booking, detention or release involving Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi; reporting summarized by Fox News.
- CBP records contradict detention: U.S. Customs and Border Protection logs show Naqvi entered secondary inspection at O’Hare on March 5 and was released the same day, according to Fox News.
- Hotel folio and surveillance place her in Rosemont: A Hampton Inn folio and card transactions list charges March 5–8; surveillance and messages align with the hotel stay, as reported by Fox News.
- WhatsApp and phone data show activity: Investigators cite messages referencing daily activities and “spa services,” which sheriff officials say could not have occurred in the cited detention facilities (Fox News).
Investigation and verified timeline
Sheriff Schmidt said his office conducted a weeks-long investigation after Naqvi’s detention allegations drew public attention. Investigators collected records from multiple agencies and examined hotel folios, surveillance videos, phone data and WhatsApp messages to build a timeline that conflicts with her public account.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection records cited by the sheriff’s office, Naqvi entered secondary inspection at Chicago O’Hare International Airport at about 10:46 a.m. on March 5 and was released roughly at 11:42 a.m. Federal authorities told investigators she was not detained or transferred after leaving the airport (Fox News).
At 1:17 p.m. the same day she checked into a Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont, Illinois. Hotel folio documents show room charges and purchases from March 5 through March 8, placing her at the hotel during the hours she later claimed to be in custody. Surveillance video and card transactions align with the hotel stay, according to the sheriff’s federal complaint (Fox News).
Evidence that investigators say contradicts the detention claim
Investigators point to multiple evidence streams placing Naqvi at the Rosemont hotel and active on her phone during the alleged detention window. WhatsApp messages from that timeframe show her discussing food, work and daily activities; in one exchange she asks to use a card to order food.
“I can also tell you there is no spa lady in our jail here in Dodge County,” Sheriff Schmidt said, highlighting messages that referenced spa services investigators say could not have occurred in the cited detention facilities.
The sheriff’s office reports there is no record — video, paperwork or witness testimony — placing Naqvi in Dodge County custody. The complaint argues phone location data previously cited to support the original claim “is not physically possible” given CBP timestamps and the hotel folio. Schmidt says the office found no evidence of coordination with federal or out-of-state agencies that would support cross-state transfers.
Public amplification and Jussie Smollett comparisons
The allegations attracted rapid public attention. An X account known as Libs of Chicago compared Naqvi’s account to the 2019 incident involving actor Jussie Smollett, calling Skokie “their very own Jussie Smollett.” That case led to felony charges and a criminal conviction that was later overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court on procedural grounds in November 2024. Background on the widely known case is summarized as Smollett case background.
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison publicly amplified the story and alleged Naqvi and five other people were moved across state lines by immigration agents; he also accused the sheriff’s office of a cover-up. The complaint challenges such public statements and Schmidt said he filed the federal lawsuit in part to set the record straight and to defend deputies he said were unfairly portrayed (Fox News).
Legal action and investigatory status
Schmidt’s federal complaint accuses Naqvi of fabricating the detention narrative and seeks to counter what he described as misinformation that damaged the sheriff’s office and its staff. The sheriff acknowledged that criminal charges for making false claims might be difficult to pursue but said the office has shared findings with the FBI, Illinois State Police and other partners. The investigation remains active, the complaint states (Fox News).
The complaint also notes prior law-enforcement interactions involving Naqvi, including what the sheriff characterized as a previous false sexual assault report; those details are presented as context for an alleged pattern of unverified claims.
Implications
Economic impact: False public allegations about detention and misconduct can impose costs — legal fees, overtime, administrative burdens and coordination across agencies — and can draw businesses and hotels into evidentiary disputes over folios and surveillance.
Political consequences: The episode underscores how quickly unverified claims can shape political debate and how elected officials who amplify allegations risk legal scrutiny if evidence disputes those claims.
Social effects: False claims can erode trust in institutions, damage credibility for genuine reports of abuse and polarize communities before facts are confirmed.
Cultural relevance: Comparisons to high-profile hoaxes such as the Jussie Smollett matter show how narratives about identity, immigration and institutional accountability travel across borders and influence public perceptions.
Practical advice: Verify before amplifying. Public officials and media should corroborate custody claims with records from the agencies that operate the facilities. For individuals, hotel folios, transaction records and message timestamps can be crucial evidence; law enforcement should communicate transparently when allegations gain public notice.
What remains active
The Dodge County lawsuit aims to address the spread of the allegations and defend staff reputations. Investigators have shared their findings with federal partners and say the probe remains open. As with any legal dispute, the full record will become clearer through court filings, depositions and agency responses (Fox News).
Sources
- Fox News — reporting summarizing the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office statements and the federal complaint.
- Smollett case background — public records and reporting on the Jussie Smollett matter.
