Watch CBS News

Bristol County Sheriff Unlawfully Held Immigrant In Jail, Lawsuit Says

BOSTON (AP) — Civil rights attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Bristol County Sheriff of unlawfully detaining an immigrant for nearly three weeks.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice and Latham & Watkins LLP.

It says 38-year-old Moises Rivas was jailed on charges stemming from a domestic dispute. The lawsuit says when Rivas' family tried to bail him out, the jail refused to release him because he was wanted by immigration authorities.

The complaint says the refusal to free Rivas violated state law because Massachusetts' highest court ruled earlier that year that authorities can't hold immigrants solely based on a request by federal authorities.

Sheriff Tom Hodgson
Bristol County Sheriff Sheriff Tom Hodgson. (WBZ-TV)

A spokesman for Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said it couldn't immediately comment on the lawsuit.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.