A Lakeview homeowner is taking the federal government to court over a destructive and violent raid by Customs and Border Protection agents last year.
“What happened here was traumatic.”
Leo Feler speaking to reporters outside of his home on Lakewood Avenue, where Ring doorbell footage captured masked CBP agents giving chase to four men hired to replace windows on October 24th as they stopped to eat lunch.
Attorney Dylan Moore is with the Institute for Justice.
Damage to Leo Feler's home from October raid
Andy Dahn/WBBM
“The agents scaled the five-foot-tall, rod iron fence in front of Leo’s house, and chased the workers through sensitive areas of Leo’s property, like his private backyard, his second story balcony and his secluded garage.”
All while Feler watched on his phone from Canada.
“They detained one of the workers. We later found out that this worker had no criminal history and had been paying taxes. Eventually, after three weeks, a judge ordered that this worker be released.”
Along with deploying tear gas on neighbors, the agents are accused of causing 30 thousand dollars in damage to Feler’s home with no warrant.
Leo Feler speaking to reporters outside of his home on Lakewood Avenue
Andy Dahn/WBBM
Now, the issue heads to court.
“The two things that the lawsuit is asking for is damages and a declaration that what happened here was unconstitutional and shouldn’t be happening.”
Feler says he lost sleep and even left his job, where leaders were concerned of potential retaliation from the Trump administration if he spoke out about the incident.
We’ve reached out to CBP for comment.
