Mobile County Sheriff Defends Deputies After Video Shows Man Struck During Immigration Operation

At a Wednesday press conference, Burch identified the man in the video as Henry Castillo, who was wearing a neon work vest when deputies wrestled him to the ground. The footage shows Castillo being struck in the face while two deputies attempt to restrain him. The incident unfolded during a joint operation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday, though no ICE representatives were present at the sheriff’s briefing.

What sparked the confrontation?

According to Burch, the encounter began when deputies attempted to stop a work van for a traffic violation. Instead of pulling over, the driver allegedly tried to flee. Once the van did stop, four passengers bolted on foot.

Deputies quickly caught three of the individuals without further struggle. But Castillo, Burch said, chose to fight.

He explained that deputies used a Taser twice, but Castillo reportedly kept resisting. The sheriff claimed Castillo grabbed a deputy “around the neck and vest,” escalating the situation into a physical struggle.

Why Was Castillo Struck?

Burch said that as the altercation dragged on, a second deputy stepped in to assist. That’s when what the sheriff described as “open hand strikes” and “closed hand strikes” were used to subdue Castillo and force his arm out from under his body.

When asked whether he wished his deputies had handled the situation differently, Burch was unequivocal:

“No, I don’t wish they did anything different. If you comply, this isn’t going to happen.”

He emphasized that while the other three individuals ran from the van, they eventually cooperated once detained. Castillo, he argued, had chosen a different path.

“If you fight my deputies, we’re going to win,” Burch added.

Charges Filed

Castillo now faces charges of resisting arrest and attempting to elude. The other three individuals were also charged with resisting arrest, though their encounters with deputies did not escalate to physical violence.

The Larger Conversation

The video’s circulation online has reignited broader discussions about law enforcement use of force, immigration enforcement tactics, and accountability. Supporters of the sheriff’s position argue that officers must defend themselves in volatile situations, while critics question whether the strikes captured on video crossed the line.

With immigration enforcement already a politically heated issue, incidents like this shine a light not just on a single roadside struggle but on the larger friction between law enforcement, immigrant communities, and public perception of justice.