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Naturalized citizen thrown to pavement by Border Patrol, later files $1.25M claim

Jul 20, 2026

Naturalized citizen thrown to pavement by Border Patrol, later files $1.25M claim
Photo via projects.propublica.org

Willy Wender Aceituno, a 46-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Honduras who said he voted for Trump twice, was stopped twice within minutes by Border Patrol agents in a Charlotte, NC restaurant parking lot on November 15, 2025, during 'Operation Charlotte's Web.' After the first group of agents confirmed his citizenship and no criminal record, a second group smashed his truck's window, dragged him over broken glass, threw him to the pavement, and handcuffed him before driving him around the city and releasing him over two miles from his vehicle without his keys or medical help. Aceituno said the incident echoed childhood trauma in Honduras, where agents took his father, who was never seen again. 'ICE isn't looking for criminals,' he said. 'They're looking for Latinos.' He sought treatment at Atrium Hospital and, with the ACLU of North Carolina, filed a $1.25 million federal claim against DHS, ICE, and CBP, also joining a related class action over warrantless arrests. His U.S.-born daughter now carries her passport at college because of her appearance.

Timeline

Jul 20, 2026—Case listed by Southern Coalition for Social Justice as part of ongoing litigation over Operation Charlotte's Web
Mar 3, 2026—Filed $1.25 million federal damages claim against DHS, ICE, and CBP with ACLU of North Carolina and other groups
Nov 15, 2025—Stopped twice by Border Patrol agents in Charlotte parking lot; second group smashed truck window, threw him to pavement, and detained him despite earlier citizenship confirmation
Nov 15, 2025—Sought medical treatment at Atrium Hospital for injuries
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