Litigation
The following paragraphs contain links to legal documents and case summaries regarding ongoing and recent civil litigation against vigilante individuals. Click on the case names below to open .pdf documents related to each case.
- Vicente v. Barnett, No. CIV 05-157 TUC-JMR (D. Ariz. 2005). The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed this civil action against the Barnett family and other unidentified vigilante individuals in Southern Arizona, also naming Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever as a defendant. The complaint seeks damages under civil rights statutes (specifically, 42 USC 1983, 1985(3) & 1986), as well as assault, battery, false arrest and imprisonment, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- Morales et. al. v. Barnett, No. CV 200400779 (D. Ariz. 2004); Mackenzie v. Barnett, No. CV-200400778 (D. Ariz. 2004); Quiroz v. Barnett, No. CIV-04367-TUC-FRZ (D. Ariz. 2004). The Border Action Network of Tucson, AZ has filed several cases against Roger Barnett, a vigilante actor in Cochise County near Douglas, Arizona. The document attached to the link above contains a brief summary of these cases.
- Leiva v. Ranch Rescue, CC-03-77 (D. Texas 2003). The Southern Poverty Law Center of Montgomery, AL filed this civil action against the Ranch Rescue group on behalf of several immigrants detained, held at gunpoint and threatened by members of Texas vigilante group Ranch Rescue. The complaint sought damages for assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence. Ultimately, SPLC attorneys obtained favorable judgments totaling over $1.35 million against vigilante individuals, effectively shutting down Ranch Rescue’s activities in Texas.