Wisconsin sheriff sues woman over alleged ICE detention hoax, says she spent time at spa instead
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt is suing a woman who he says invented a story about being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming she actually checked into a hotel and enjoyed a spa day while the false narrative went viral online.
The lawsuit targets Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi, a U.S. citizen and social‑media influencer, over claims she posted that she was questioned and held by immigration authorities for about 40 hours at locations including Dodge County Jail in Wisconsin. According to the sheriff’s office, however, records, surveillance footage, and Naqvi’s own text messages show that during that same period she checked into a Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, and stayed there while using hotel amenities and spa services.
The sheriff says there is no record of Naqvi being booked, detained, or released in Dodge County or in coordination with federal or out‑of‑state agencies, arguing that the entire incident “did not occur.” The civil defamation lawsuit alleges that her online claims damaged the sheriff’s office’s reputation and wasted public resources as investigators scrambled to respond to the viral allegations.
Media outlets have compared the case to the Jussie Smollett‑style hoax, in which a high‑profile entertainer was convicted of staging a hate‑crime attack and filing a false police report. In both cases, authorities allege the complainant crafted a dramatic, victim‑centered story that drew widespread attention and political reaction, only to be later contradicted by evidence.
The case highlights growing legal and reputational risks for individuals who use social media to amplify unverified or fabricated claims, especially when law‑enforcement agencies feel compelled to publicly rebut them.