(CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA) A 25-year-old U.S. citizen and disabled Army veteran, George Retes, says he was wrongfully detained during an ICE arrest in Camarillo CA after agents raided a cannabis farm in July 2025. Retes, who worked as a security guard at the farm, was stopped while driving to his job. He was pepper-sprayed, pulled from his car after agents broke a window, and held for three days without charge or an explanation, according to his attorney.
No criminal or immigration charges have been filed against him, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing his case along with others stemming from the raid. Retes has filed a legal claim against the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), arguing that agents violated his constitutional rights.
His lawyer, Marie Miller, says the case seeks accountability for what happened in Camarillo and aims to set a clear standard that protects citizens and lawful residents during immigration enforcement operations. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Retes’ case is drawing national attention because it involves a U.S. citizen who says he was treated like a deportation suspect despite having the right to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸.
A raid in Camarillo and a detention without charges
The events began at a checkpoint connected to a federal operation at a cannabis property in Camarillo CA. Retes was driving to work as a security guard when agents stopped his vehicle. He says officers broke his window, pepper-sprayed him, and dragged him out.
During his detention, Retes was not allowed to call his family or speak with a lawyer. After three days, he was released without charge. Officials have not explained why Retes, who is a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody.
The incident has sparked criticism about process and safeguards during immigration raids, especially when operations occur near workplaces and public roads. While no charges have been filed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed it is reviewing his case as part of a broader look at matters tied to the July raid.
Retes’ legal team says the arrest shows a failure to correctly identify a citizen during an enforcement sweep. They argue this error had grave effects on a young veteran who says he was on his way to his job. Miller says the FTCA claim is about both justice for Retes and a push for change in day-to-day practices during such operations.
The Department of Homeland Security has not announced disciplinary steps or policy changes related to the raid. The lack of charges so far has fed public questions about the basis for the stop and detention. Advocacy groups and Ventura County residents have expressed concern about what this means for people—citizens and immigrants alike—who may pass through checkpoints or live near enforcement zones.
Legal fight and wider impact on communities
Retes’ lawyer says the case is designed to set a precedent that can prevent similar incidents. Under the FTCA, individuals can seek damages from the federal government for certain harms caused by federal agents. Retes’ claim argues that his constitutional rights were violated during the stop and detention, including his right to be free from unreasonable seizure and the basic protections that apply to citizens held by federal officers.
The case has stirred intense reactions in Southern California and beyond. Many see Retes’ story as part of a broader problem: errors during enforcement that can sweep up people who have every right to be here. Families have asked whether they could face similar treatment if they happen to be near a raid or checkpoint.
Community leaders warn that this fear reaches beyond undocumented residents and now affects lawful immigrants and citizens who worry about proof and process in fast-moving operations. Supporters of Retes point to the reported lack of access to a phone call or lawyer during his three-day detention, describing this as a basic failure in treating a citizen fairly.
Critics of the raid also argue that the tactics used—breaking a window, pepper spray, and a public detention—carry long-term harm for trust in law enforcement.
Retes has spoken publicly since the raid. He says he has been targeted for calling out what happened to him and for seeking justice through the courts. His legal team says speaking out is part of an effort to make sure the case leads to:
- better checks during enforcement,
- stronger identification steps before detention, and
- clear rules that prevent wrongful holds on citizens.
As of October 2025, the legal claim remains open and the U.S. Attorney’s Office review is ongoing. No criminal allegations have been lodged against Retes linked to the raid.
Local concerns: workplaces, veterans, and immigrant communities
In Camarillo, the case has renewed attention on how federal operations unfold in and around workplaces, including licensed cannabis businesses where workers commute on fixed schedules and through known routes. Workers at such sites say they fear that ordinary trips to work could lead to stops that spiral into detentions if agents act first and verify later.
Public reaction has also focused on Retes’ background as an Army veteran who reports living with a disability. Supporters argue that someone who served the country deserves careful treatment during any interaction with federal officers. They say what happened in Camarillo shows a gap between policy on paper and behavior in the field—especially when speed and force are used during group operations.
Advocates also note the impact on immigrant communities who hold work permits or lawful status. Even when papers are in order, people fear confusion during an operation could lead to a wrongful hold. That fear can keep people from going to work, picking up children, or seeking help when needed.
Agency response and next steps
ICE, the agency that led the operation, has not released a full public account of the events that led to Retes’ detention. For official agency information, readers can consult U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency has said in other contexts that it conducts operations within the law, but in this case detailed explanations have not been made public while reviews continue.
Retes’ case remains a flashpoint because it raises a simple question: how can officers make sure they do not detain a citizen during an enforcement sweep? His attorney argues that better identification steps, stronger supervision, and prompt access to counsel are all core parts of the answer.
Community voices in Camarillo CA say trust will depend on whether those steps are actually built into day-to-day work. For now, the known facts are stark:
- a U.S. citizen
- an ICE arrest
- no formal charges
- an ongoing review
- a lawsuit under the FTCA
Retes and his attorney say they will press ahead in federal court, seeking not only redress for him but reforms that ensure no one else—citizen or immigrant—faces the same ordeal.
Key takeaway: The case highlights concerns about identification, due process, and the balance between enforcement and civil liberties during federal operations near workplaces and public routes.
This Article in a Nutshell
In July 2025 an ICE raid at a cannabis farm in Camarillo, California resulted in the detention of 25-year-old U.S. citizen and disabled Army veteran George Retes. Retes, working as a security guard, says agents broke his car window, pepper-sprayed him, and held him for three days without charges or access to a lawyer. He filed a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act alleging violations of his constitutional rights. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing his case amid broader scrutiny of enforcement identification procedures. Community leaders and advocates warn the incident undermines trust and highlight the need for stronger safeguards during raids. As of October 2025, no criminal charges have been filed and the legal process is ongoing, with Retes seeking both compensation and reforms to prevent similar incidents.
