US Edition
'He's Being Kidnapped Right Now': Helena Police Video Shows ICE Detention of Christopher Martinez
LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY, MONTANA, JUL 10 – A federal hearing challenges the legality of Christopher Martinez Marvan's detention following his arrest for expired registration and immigration detainer, amid community protests and legal debate.
- Christopher Martinez Marvan, a 31-year-old resident of Helena and Mexican national, was taken into federal immigration custody on July 1, 2025, following a traffic stop triggered by expired vehicle registration.
- The arrest resulted from a traffic stop initiated while officers searched for two Venezuelan men, though Martinez was not their target and had no criminal record, leading his lawyers to claim racial profiling and unlawful detention.
- Bodycam footage captured Helena police officers making insensitive remarks during the arrest, prompting Police Chief Brett Petty to express disappointment and assure the public that such comments undergo internal review and are not department values.
- Martinez’s attorney, Molly Danahy, warned that delaying challenges to his detention until immigration proceedings end would destroy any chance to obtain relief, and lawyers are contesting the legality of the stop and detention in federal court while jurisdiction questions remain unresolved.
- The federal hearing, held on July 10, 2025, drew community support and left outcomes uncertain, with Judge Christensen taking the matter under advisement and emphasizing the need for a prompt decision amid removal proceedings against Martinez.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Posters warning of ICE presence in Helena spark conversation and concern
Christopher Martinez's arrest in Helena has reverberated throughout the capital city.It has prompted protests, heated public comments at city and county meetings, and responses from elected leaders. RELATED: Missoula immigration lawyer answers questions about the immigration processMost recently, posters have been put up around town noting the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Hear Helena residents discuss the "ICE Activity" p…
Posters warning of ICE prescence in Helena spark conversation and concern
Christopher Martinez's arrest in Helena has reverberated throughout the city.It has prompted protests, heated public comments at city and county meetings, and responses from elected leaders.Most recently, posters have been put up around town noting the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Watch Helena residents discuss the "ICE Activity" posters "ICE activity" posters go up around HelenaJoel Harris has called Helena home for the …
ABC FOX Montana
Fairfield Sun TimesMissoula residents divided over Christopher Martinez-Marvan detainment
MISSOULA, Mont. – Demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse in Missoula expressing mixed feelings about the detainment of Christopher Martinez-Marvan. The court hearing earlier today addressed his arrest in Helena for an expired registration and outstanding warrant.
Montana Free Press
Bozeman Daily ChronicleAttorneys: Helena man unlawfully detained due to racial profiling ahead of traffic stop
In a federal district court hearing, attorneys for Christoper Martinez Marvan petitioned for his release, while lawyers representing the government argued his detainment was legal.
Helena Independent Record
'He's being kidnapped right now': Helena Police video shows ICE detention of Christopher Martinez
Body and dash camera video from the Helena Police Department obtained by the Independent Record shows the July 1, 2025, traffic stop that led to the detention of Christopher Martinez Marvan by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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