Federal judge orders release of unlawfully detained Yellowstone County man

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris on August 8 ordered the release of Jesus Verde Hernandez, a Worden man whom Border Patrol agents detained July 30 in Lewistown, Montana, while searching for another man they claimed resembled him, the Daily Montanan reported. The court found officials had no warrant for his arrest and lacked probable cause; Hernandez — a 10-year Montana resident with a long-term partner, three children, no criminal history, and no prior immigration encounters — was transported roughly 30 hours through Jordan, Malta, Havre, and Great Falls before being held at the Cascade County Detention Center. His attorneys at the nonprofit Upper Seven Law are seeking class certification, saying 17 people are being unlawfully held at the same facility, with a hearing set for August 18 in Missoula.