Ventura Army Veteran Sues Federal Government After ICE Detention
Tracy Lehr
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – A U.S. citizen and Army veteran caught up in a recent Camarillo ICE raid is now suing the federal government.
When ICE agents raided Glass House cannabis farms in Carpinteria and Camarillo on Thursday, July 10, they arrested more than 360 people, including George Retes, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen, Army veteran, and father of two from Ventura.
Retes had been working for Securitas at the guard gate. He said he figured ICE had a job to do—and he had a job to get to.
Retes is suing the government for damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) for unconstitutional detention.
“My goal now is to get accountability for what has happened, not only for me, but for what has continued to happen to everyone else,” said Retes. “Unfortunately it hasn’t stopped, so it’s mainly about getting accountability and bringing attention to what ICE is doing, what the government is doing—just holding those people accountable, because no one is above the law.”
He said it isn’t about the money, although he has lost wages, had to repair his car window, and missed his daughter’s third birthday while in custody.
“The entire training process taught me to stay calm under pressure, and so the entire time I knew not to fight back,” said Retes.
Despite his compliance, Retes said agents pepper sprayed him, broke his car window, and dragged him out of his vehicle. He was detained for three days without explanation or apology.
His attorney, Anya Bidwell, senior attorney at the nonprofit Institute for Justice, said this case is about principle, not payout.
“The only remedy that George can seek for a person in his position, for violation of constitutional rights, is damages,” said Bidwell. “It’s not like George is choosing to sue for damages.”
Retes said it was supposed to be his first day on the 4 p.m. shift rather than the night shift at the Glass House front gate. He intended to show up early, and when he saw the rally while driving up, he still thought he should get to work.
“I still have bills to pay, I still have kids to feed, I still need to make money, I still have a job,” Retes said. “I didn’t think it would be a problem. I didn’t do anything wrong, I wasn’t aggressive. I was just trying to let them know that I was trying to get to work. I am not here protesting, I am not trying to get in your face.”
Retes said he is not involved in partisan politics but feels wronged. He has not returned to work since the incident.