Cottonwood County Sheriff alleges inaccurate online posts by ICE

The Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office issued a press release Wednesday morning noting that online posts made Tuesday on ICE social media accounts were inaccurate.

Stated the press release from Sheriff Jason Purrington states:

"Yesterday @ICEgov made a post stating that Cottonwood County, Minnesota refused to honor their detainer for an alleged child sexual predator. This post misrepresented the truth to what the facts to incident are. Here are the facts.

1. Samuel Arevalo Hernandez was arrested on Jan. 11, 2026.

   
   

2. On Jan. 12, 2026, the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office received a document titled “Request for Advance Notification of Release.” This document specifically stated:

   
   

   Notify DHS as early as practicable (at least 48 hours, if possible) before the subject is released from your custody to allow DHS an opportunity to determine whether there is probable cause to conclude that he or she is a removable alien. Please notify DHS by calling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

   
   

   This request for notification does not request or authorize that you detain the subject beyond the time he or she is currently scheduled for release from your custody.

   
   

   This request should not impact decisions about the subject’s bail, rehabilitation, parole, release, diversion, custody classification, work, quarter assignments or other matters.

   
   

   3. On Jan. 13, 2026, a complaint-order for detention was issued for the defendant.

   4. He made his first appearance at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 13 and, among other things, the court set bail. The court also set his next hearing on Jan. 26.

   5. At 2:43 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2026, the sheriff’s office learned someone came to the LEC to post bail for the defendant. A jail employee immediately called ICE to notify them of this.

   6. A jail employee spoke with an ICE agent who we are routinely in contact with. That agent stated they were otherwise detained in the metro area and unable to respond to Cottonwood County at this time. ICE stated that they would pick him up at a later date. ICE asked for address information for the defendant, which was given.

   7. Bail was posted and the defendant was released."

Concluded Purrington: "Unfortunately, the post made by @ICEgov was wholly inaccurate and not true and does not represent the facts of this incident."