George Retes, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen and Iraq War veteran, spent three days in federal custody after being caught in a large-scale immigration enforcement action at a Southern California cannabis farm. During that time, he said he was denied access to a lawyer, prevented from contacting his family, and placed in an isolation cell, all without being charged with a crime.
Retes, a security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, said he was on his way to work on July 10 when he encountered an ICE roadblock amid protests and federal agents. According to Retes, officers broke his car window, sprayed him with pepper spray and tear gas, and forcibly removed him from the vehicle. Two officers placed a knee on his back while another knelt on his neck, despite his compliance and repeated atte