Dodge County Sues Skokie Woman After Investigation Finds “Sunny Naqvi ICE hoax,” Sheriff Says
Skokie, Illinois (High Desert News Online) – After a weeks-long probe, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt sued Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi in federal court, alleging she fabricated a March 5–8, 2025 ICE detention claim — an account investigators say records, hotel folios and surveillance contradict.
Key takeaways
- Dodge County filed a federal lawsuit accusing Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi of inventing a March 5–8, 2025 detention story, according to the county’s complaint and reporting by Fox News.
- Investigators found no booking or transfer records—reviews of CBP records, hotel folios, surveillance video and messages did not support Naqvi’s account (Fox News).
- Timeline appears physically impossible — CBP records and hotel folios place Naqvi at O’Hare and at a Rosemont hotel during the period she claimed to be detained (Fox News).
- Case drew social-media comparisons to the Jussie Smollett matter (Jussie Smollett case), and the sheriff has referred findings to federal partners for review (Fox News).
What the Dodge County Sheriff’s lawsuit alleges
Sheriff Dale Schmidt announced the federal complaint after a weeks-long probe into Naqvi’s claims that she was detained by federal immigration agents and held in Wisconsin for about 40 hours. The sheriff’s office says those claims are false and that Naqvi told multiple people and public officials the same story.
“I set out to present fact versus fiction,” Schmidt told reporters, saying the public timeline Naqvi and others circulated was “not physically possible.” (Fox News)
Investigators’ findings that contradict the detention claim
Dodge County investigators compiled multiple records they say directly contradict Naqvi’s account. The complaint and reporting cite the following pieces of evidence:
CBP inspection records
U.S. Customs and Border Protection records cited in the lawsuit show Naqvi entered secondary inspection at O’Hare International Airport at 10:46 a.m. on March 5 and was released at about 11:42 a.m. Federal officials told investigators she was not detained or transferred after leaving the airport. (Fox News)
Hotel records
Just over an hour after leaving O’Hare, Naqvi checked into a Hampton Inn & Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, at 1:17 p.m. on March 5. Hotel folio documents show charges and purchases from March 5 through March 8, placing her at the hotel during the period she later claimed she was in custody. (Fox News)
Messages and phone data
WhatsApp messages from the time show Naqvi actively communicating from the hotel about food, work and daily activities, including a request to use a card to order food. Investigators examined phone location data cited by Naqvi’s supporters and concluded those data do not align with the claimed detention timeline. (Fox News)
Lack of local records
The sheriff’s office reports no booking, detention, or release records for Naqvi in Dodge County, and found no coordination with federal or out-of-state agencies that would back up her account. (Fox News)
Sheriff Schmidt also flagged inconsistencies such as WhatsApp messages referencing spa services; he noted dryly that there is “no spa at Broadview in Chicago, Illinois” and “no spa lady in our jail here in Dodge County,” underscoring details investigators said did not fit the detention story. (Fox News)
Timeline and physical impossibility
The assembled timeline is central to the lawsuit: CBP records show Naqvi was out of federal custody by 11:42 a.m. on March 5; she checked into the Rosemont hotel at 1:17 p.m. Surveillance video and hotel folios place her at the hotel through March 8. Investigators say that sequence leaves no plausible window for a transfer to Dodge County custody or for a 40-hour detention.
Investigators reported finding no video, documentation, or witness testimony indicating Naqvi was ever held in Dodge County facilities. They also say phone location data provided by supporters do not support her account. (Fox News)
Public reaction and the “Jussie Smollett comparison”
The story prompted social-media posts likening the episode to the 2019 Jussie Smollett matter, where the actor was accused of staging an attack. On X, the account Libs of Chicago called Skokie’s incident “their very own Jussie Smollett,” and other users described it as “Jussie Smollett-esque.” The Smollett case resulted in a 2021 conviction for false police reports that was later overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court in November 2024. (Fox News; Jussie Smollett case)
The sheriff’s office said the spread of Naqvi’s claims led to public pressure and statements by elected officials that amplified the allegations. The lawsuit names Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison for publicly asserting that Naqvi and others were transported across state lines by immigration agents; Sheriff Schmidt disputed those assertions and said Morrison accused the sheriff’s office of a cover-up. (Fox News)
Legal and investigative status
The lawsuit moves the dispute to federal court. Investigators have shared findings with federal partners, including the FBI and the Illinois State Police. Sheriff Schmidt said the probe remains active; while criminal charges may be difficult, the findings were forwarded to appropriate agencies for review. The Department of Homeland Security earlier deemed Naqvi’s claims false, according to the sheriff’s office and news reports. (Fox News)
The complaint references prior law-enforcement contacts linked to Naqvi, including a previously reported sexual-assault claim that officials later said was unsubstantiated; the sheriff’s office said past reports were part of the context for scrutinizing the detention allegations. (Fox News)
Implications for The High Desert, California
Residents of The High Desert may view the Dodge County lawsuit as a reminder that public claims about law enforcement actions have tangible consequences — they can draw national attention, strain local resources and erode community trust in institutions and advocacy groups.
Economic and community trust: Local governments and businesses that rely on tourism and small events can be disrupted by social-media-driven narratives; clear information is essential.
Political consequences: The case may influence local discourse about accountability and transparency, with officials urging careful fact-checking before amplifying allegations.
Social and cultural effects: Diverse communities in The High Desert may feel increased tensions, while leaders can use the episode to promote faster verification and clearer reporting channels.
Practical applications: Local law enforcement and community organizations should emphasize timely public information, interagency cooperation and media literacy to reduce confusion and reputational harm.
Legal procedures: The case highlights the importance of meticulous records, video retention and cross-jurisdictional coordination when allegations involve multiple agencies.
Sources
Reporting and documents cited in this article include the Dodge County Sheriff’s office investigation as reported by Fox News and background material on the Jussie Smollett case.
Original reporting links and source documents referenced throughout the article are preserved via the cited outlets above.
