Sibley County police agencies settle over racial profiling case

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has reached a settlement with the Gaylord police department and the Sibley County Sheriff's Office over a 2012 racial profiling case.

Jesus Sierra's attorney said the 46-year-old was a passenger of a car when the driver was arrested. Officials had no evidence Sierra had committed a crime but was still detained, arrested and interrogated at the local police station, American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota Attorney Teresa Nelson said.

"There's a lot of fear in the community about police," Nelson said. "The perception is that they're out to enforce immigration law any way they can, even with people who are lawfully here."

Sierra is a permanent U.S. resident of Mexican origin who's lived in Gaylord for more than a decade.

"She is a lawful permanent resident. She has a Minnesota state ID that came back as valid for identification, and no wants or warrants," Nelson said. "There was simply no reasons for her to be held and questioned."

Sierra will share the $40,000 payment with her attorneys from the ACLU. The settlement is dated Jan. 26.