Case: Robinson v. Board of County Commissioners, Otero County, New Mexico

1:07-cv-01044 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico

Filed Date: Oct. 17, 2007

Closed Date: 2008

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On October 17, 2007, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico filed a civil rights suit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on behalf of five Latino families in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Plaintiffs alleged that the Sheriff's Department sanctioned an operation to locate, detain and arrest Latinos in an effort to apprehend undocumented immigrants. As part of the operation, plaintiffs alleg…

On October 17, 2007, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico filed a civil rights suit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on behalf of five Latino families in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Plaintiffs alleged that the Sheriff's Department sanctioned an operation to locate, detain and arrest Latinos in an effort to apprehend undocumented immigrants.

As part of the operation, plaintiffs alleged that on September 10, 2007, sheriff's deputies raided homes of Latinos without search warrants and stopped, detained, and interrogated Latino motorists and Latinos walking on the street without probable cause or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Some Latinos that objected to the tactics were allegedly assaulted by deputies and issued bogus criminal charges in an attempt to cover the deputies' misconduct. Plaintiffs asserted violations of the Fourth Amendment, due process and equal protection as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and corresponding provisions of the state constitution. They sought monetary damages and declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent further immigration raids by the Sheriff's Department.

On April 3, 2008, the parties entered into a settlement, which the court adopted on May 27, 2008, dismissing the case. Under the terms of the settlement, the Otero County Sheriff's Department agreed to a settlement of $100,000 and changes to its operational procedures. Under the agreement, deputies agreed not to inquire about a person's immigration status in minor cases and not to hold a person who is not under arrest for federal immigration officers. The department also agreed to accept the matricula consular (consulate-issued identification card) as a valid ID.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (6/8/2009)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12522398/parties/robinson-v-board-of-county-commissioners/


Judge(s)

Johnson, William Paul (New Mexico)

Lynch, William P. (New Mexico)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bach, George (New Mexico)

Graybill, Lisa Shawn (Texas)

Perales, Nina (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:07-cv-01044

Docket [PACER]

Robinson v. Board of County Commissioners

May 27, 2008

May 27, 2008

Docket
1

1:07-cv-01044

Complaint

Daniel T. v. Board of County Commissioners, Otero County, New Mexico

Oct. 17, 2007

Oct. 17, 2007

Complaint

Families Sue Otero County Sheriffs Over Illegal Immigration Raids -- Civil rights groups say sheriffs 'broke trust' with community

Daniel T. v. Board of County Commissioners, Otero County, New Mexico

No Court

Oct. 17, 2007

Oct. 17, 2007

Press Release
44

1:07-cv-01044

Joint Motion to Approve Resolution and thereafter to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint with Prejudice

Daniel T. v. Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero

April 14, 2008

April 14, 2008

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12522398/robinson-v-board-of-county-commissioners/

Last updated March 26, 2026, 4:40 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Oct. 17, 2007

COMPLAINT against all defendants ( Filing Fee - Online Payment), filed by Hilda T, Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Chris V, IDA V, Daniel T, John T, Lucy T, David Robinson, Mary T. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Bach, George) (Entered: 10/17/2007)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

RECAP
2 Oct. 17, 2007

DEMAND for Trial by Jury by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Chris V, IDA V, Daniel T, John T, Lucy T, David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T (Bach, George) (Entered: 10/17/2007)

RECAP
Oct. 17, 2007

Filing Fee Received: $ 350 receipt number 330977 re 1 Complaint, filed by John T, Chris V, Daniel T, IDA V, Mary T, Francisco Rodriguez, Lucy T, Hilda T, Norma Estrada, David Robinson, Veronica Moreno (Payment made via Pay.gov)(Bach, George)

Oct. 17, 2007

Judge William P. Johnson and William P Lynch assigned. (nm)

Oct. 17, 2007

Summons Issued as to Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter. (nm)

3 Oct. 31, 2007

MOTION for Pro Hac Vice of Nina Perales by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Perales, Nina) (Entered: 10/31/2007)

RECAP
4 Oct. 31, 2007

MOTION for Pro Hac Vice of Marisol L. Perez by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T. (Attachments: # 1)(Perez, Marisol) (Entered: 10/31/2007)

RECAP
5 Nov. 13, 2007

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE Executed Effective November 10, 2007 Acknowledgement filed by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter. (Slease, William) (Entered: 11/13/2007)

RECAP
6 Nov. 13, 2007

NOTICE of Appearance by William D. Slease on behalf of Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter (Slease, William) (Entered: 11/13/2007)

RECAP
7 Nov. 13, 2007

FILED IN ERROR-ORDER by Judge William P Lynch granting 3 ORDER on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Attorney Marisol L Perez for representing Plaintiffs in this matter (ctg) Modified on to add error text 11/14/2007 (ctg) (Entered: 11/14/2007)

RECAP
8 Nov. 13, 2007

ORDER by Judge William P Lynch granting 4 ORDER on Motion for Pro Hac Vice Attorney Marisol L Perez for Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T & Hilda T(ctg) (Entered: 11/14/2007)

RECAP
9 Nov. 13, 2007

ORDER by Judge William P Lynch granting re 3 MOTION for Pro Hac Vice of Nina Perales filed by Ida V., Francisco Rodriguez, Norma Estrada, Hilda T, David Robinson, Veronica Moreno & Mary T (ctg) (Entered: 11/14/2007)

RECAP
10 Nov. 28, 2007

Defendants' ANSWER to Complaint by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter. Related document: 1 Complaint, filed by Ida V., Francisco Rodriguez, Norma Estrada, Hilda T, David Robinson, Veronica Moreno, Mary T.(Slease, William) (Entered: 11/28/2007)

RECAP
11 Nov. 28, 2007

DEMAND for Trial by Jury by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter (Slease, William) (Entered: 11/28/2007)

RECAP
12 Nov. 29, 2007

ORDER by Judge William P. Lynch: Telephonic Initial Scheduling Conference set for 1/17/2008 at 09:00 AM before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch. (age) (Entered: 11/29/2007)

RECAP
13 Dec. 12, 2007

NOTICE of Appearance by Joleen K. Youngers on behalf of all plaintiffs (Youngers, Joleen) (Entered: 12/12/2007)

RECAP
14 Dec. 20, 2007

MOTION to Consolidate Cases by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter. (Slease, William) (Entered: 12/20/2007)

RECAP
15 Dec. 20, 2007

MOTION to Consolidate Cases (Memorandum in Support of) by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter. (Slease, William) (Entered: 12/20/2007)

RECAP
16 Dec. 21, 2007

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 15 MOTION to Consolidate Cases (Memorandum in Support of), 14 MOTION to Consolidate Cases by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T. (Bach, George) (Entered: 12/21/2007)

RECAP
17 Dec. 21, 2007

ORDER by Judge William P. Johnson granting 16 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Response. Response due by 1/11/2008. THIS IS A TEXT ONLY ENTRY. NO DOCUMENTS ARE ATTACHED.(mag) (Entered: 12/21/2007)

RECAP
18 Dec. 21, 2007

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T of Initial Disclosures (Bach, George) (Entered: 12/21/2007)

RECAP
19 Jan. 7, 2008

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter, John Does, Jane Doe Defendants' Initial Rule 26 Disclosures (Slease, William) (Entered: 01/07/2008)

RECAP
20 Jan. 7, 2008

Joint Status Report and Provisional Discovery Plan by David Robinson (Bach, George) (Entered: 01/07/2008)

RECAP
21 Jan. 11, 2008

RESPONSE in Opposition re 15 MOTION to Consolidate Cases (Memorandum in Support of), 14 MOTION to Consolidate Cases filed by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T. (Bach, George) (Entered: 01/11/2008)

RECAP
22 Jan. 17, 2008

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P. Lynch : Scheduling Conference held on 1/17/2008. (age) (Entered: 01/17/2008)

RECAP
23 Jan. 17, 2008

ORDER SETTING PRETRIAL DEADLINES AND ADOPTING JOINT STATUS REPORT by Judge William P. Lynch (age) (Entered: 01/17/2008)

RECAP
24 Jan. 17, 2008

ORDER by Judge William P. Lynch: Settlement Conference set for 4/3/2008 at 09:00 AM before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch. (age) (Entered: 01/17/2008)

RECAP
25 Jan. 22, 2008

Defendants' REPLY in Support of re 15 MOTION to Consolidate Cases (Memorandum in Support of), 21 Response in Opposition to Motion filed by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter. (Slease, William) (Entered: 01/22/2008)

RECAP
26 Jan. 22, 2008

NOTICE of Briefing Complete by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter re 15 MOTION to Consolidate Cases (Memorandum in Support of) filed by Leon Ledbetter, Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, 14 MOTION to Consolidate Cases filed by Leon Ledbetter, Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett (Slease, William) (Entered: 01/22/2008)

RECAP
27 Jan. 29, 2008

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter regarding Defendant Otero County's First Set of Interrogatories and First Request for Production of Documents to Plaintiffs Francisco Rodriguez, Hilda T., Mary T., Norma Estrada, Veronica Moreno, Ida V., Ida V., as Next Friend of Chris V., a Minor, David Robinson, David Robinson, as Next Friend of Daniel T., John T., and Lucy T., Minors (Slease, William) (Entered: 01/29/2008)

RECAP
28 Feb. 21, 2008

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Ida V. re: Plaintiffs First Set of Interrogatories to Defendant Otero County Sheriffs Deputy Rob Hansen, Plaintiffs First Set of Interrogatories to Defendant Otero County Sheriffs Deputy Leon Ledbetter, Plaintiffs First Request for Production of Documents to Defendant Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, and Plaintiffs First Request for Production of Documents to Defendant Otero County Sheriff John Blansett (Bach, George) (Entered: 02/21/2008)

RECAP
29 Feb. 21, 2008

CERTIFICATE by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T of Service of Third Party subpoena for documents on US Customs & Border Protection (Perez, Marisol) Modified on 2/27/2008 to correct text (pmr). (Entered: 02/21/2008)

RECAP
30 Feb. 21, 2008

CERTIFICATE by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T of Service of Third Party subpoena for documents on NM Homeland (Perez, Marisol) Modified on 2/27/2008 to correct text (pmr). (Entered: 02/21/2008)

RECAP
31 March 3, 2008

Unopposed MOTION for Order Stipulated Protective Order by David Robinson. (Bach, George) (Entered: 03/03/2008)

RECAP
32 March 4, 2008

STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER by Judge William P Lynch 31 Unopposed MOTION for Order Stipulated Protective Order filed by David Robinson (ctg) (Entered: 03/04/2008)

RECAP
33 March 10, 2008

ORDER by Judge William P. Lynch: Telephonic Status Conference set for 3/11/2008 at 01:30 PM before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch. (age) (Entered: 03/10/2008)

RECAP
34 March 10, 2008

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Norma Estrada Certificate of Service for Plaintiffs' Answers to Defendants Interrogatories and Requests for Production (Bach, George) (Entered: 03/10/2008)

RECAP
35 March 12, 2008

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P Lynch : Status Conference held on 3/11/2008. (age) (Entered: 03/12/2008)

RECAP
36 March 13, 2008

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter regarding Defendant Robert Hansen's Answers to Plaintiffs' First Set of Interrogatories to Otero County Sheriff's Deputy Rob Hansen; Defendant Leon Ledbetter's Answers to Plaintiffs' First Set of Interrogatories, Defendant County's Responses to Plaintiffs' First Request for Production of Documents; and Sheriff John Blansett's Responses to Plaintiffs' First Request for Production of Documents (Slease, William) (Entered: 03/13/2008)

RECAP
37 March 20, 2008

ORDER by Judge William P. Johnson denying 14 Motion to Consolidate Cases. (mag) (Entered: 03/20/2008)

RECAP
38 April 1, 2008

Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File First Amended Complaint by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Urias, David) (Entered: 04/01/2008)

RECAP
39 April 2, 2008

ORDER by Judge William P. Johnson granting 38 Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint. THIS IS A TEXT ONLY ENTRY. NO DOCUMENTS ARE ATTACHED. (mag) (Entered: 04/02/2008)

RECAP
40 April 2, 2008

AMENDED COMPLAINT against all defendants., filed by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Ida V., David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T.(Urias, David) (Entered: 04/02/2008)

RECAP
41 April 3, 2008

NOTICE of Hearing: Pretrial Conference set for 11/24/2008 09:00 AM - 640 Judge William P. Johnson Chambers; Call of the Calendar set for 12/2/2008 03:00 PM - 540 Bonito Courtroom; Jury Trial set for 12/8/2008 09:00 AM - 540 Bonito Courtroom; (mag) (Entered: 04/03/2008)

RECAP
42 April 4, 2008

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P Lynch : Settlement Conference held on 4/3/2008. (age) (Entered: 04/04/2008)

RECAP
43 April 10, 2008

ORDER of reference referring case to Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch by Judge William P. Johnson (vv) (Entered: 04/10/2008)

RECAP
April 10, 2008

Judge Leslie C. Smith assigned. (eh)

44 April 14, 2008

Joint MOTION to Approve Settlement and, thereafter to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Complaint With Prejudice by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Rob Hansen, Lewis Reeves, Clark Kinzler, Ida V., Geraldine Martinez, Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter, David Robinson, Mary T, Hilda T. (Slease, William) (Entered: 04/14/2008)

RECAP
45 April 18, 2008

ORDER by Judge William P. Lynch: Telephonic Fairness Hearing set for 4/29/2008 at 09:00 AM before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch. (age) (Entered: 04/18/2008)

RECAP
49 April 29, 2008

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P Lynch : Fairness Hearing held on 4/29/2008. (age) (Entered: 04/29/2008)

RECAP
52 May 22, 2008

FILED IN ERROR - STIPULATION of Dismissal with Prejudice of John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter, Rob Hansen, Lewis Reeves, Clark Kinzler and Geraldine Martinez by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Rob Hansen, Lewis Reeves, Clark Kinzler, Ida V., Geraldine Martinez, Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter, Mary T, Hilda T (Slease, William) Modified on 5/22/2008 (jm). (Entered: 05/22/2008)

RECAP
53 May 22, 2008

STIPULATION of Dismissal with Prejudice of John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter, Rob Hansen, Lewis Reeves, Clark Kinzler and Geraldine Martinez by Veronica Moreno, Norma Estrada, Francisco Rodriguez, Rob Hansen, Lewis Reeves, Clark Kinzler, Ida V., Geraldine Martinez, John Does, Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otero, New Mexico, John Blansett, Leon Ledbetter, Mary T, Hilda T (Slease, William) (Entered: 05/22/2008)

RECAP
54 May 27, 2008

ORDER by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch Approving Resolution and Dismissing Plaintiffs' Complaint with Prejudice and granting 44 Motion to Approve Settlement. (age) (Entered: 05/27/2008)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

New Mexico

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 17, 2007

Closing Date: 2008

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Latinos whose rights were violated when deputies raided their homes without warrants or consent and seized and interrogated them without probable cause

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

MALDEF

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

Otero County, New Mexico

Otero County,Sheriff's Department

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Federalism (including 10th Amendment)

Other Dockets:

District of New Mexico 1:07-cv-01044

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Issues

General/Misc.:

Search policies

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

ICE/DHS/INS raid

Undocumented immigrants - state and local regulation

Recommended Citation