by Marella Porter, WKRCTue, May 19, 2026 at 4:55 PMUpdated Tue, May 19, 2026 at 6:42 PMThat all changed in June 2025 when Tenelanda was detained by ICE and held at the Butler County Jail. Tenelanda is suing the county, Sheriff Richard Jones, and a sergeant named Corneal Rowe after his attorneys claim he was assaulted by them. (Provided)HAMILTON, Ohio (WKRC) - Luis Tenelanda lived in the United States for more than 30 years.“He was a construction worker who built fire stations, police stations, and schools,” said Lynn Tramonte with the Ohio Immigrant Alliance. “He was very proud of his work in this country.”That all changed in June 2025 when Tenelanda was detained by ICE and held at the Butler County Jail. Tenelanda is suing the county, Sheriff Richard Jones, and a sergeant named Corneal Rowe after his attorneys claim he was assaulted by them. (WKRC, Provided)That all changed in June 2025 when Tenelanda was detained by ICE and held at the Butler County Jail.Tenelanda is suing the county, Sheriff Richard Jones, and a sergeant named Corneal Rowe after his attorneys claim he was assaulted by them.“Mr. Tenelanda was the victim of an unprovoked attack based on his race, and he continues to suffer the consequences of that attack,” said Whit Froehlich, an attorney with Norris Law Group.His attorneys allege Rowe punched Tenelanda in the stomach while he was complying with orders in his jail cell. The punch allegedly caused Tenelanda to fall into a metal bunk bed, hitting his head and arm before losing consciousness. The lawsuit also claims jail staff failed to provide proper medical care.Nearly one year later, Tenelanda says his arm has not fully regained function, affecting his ability to work. Tenelanda’s attorneys say that what he experienced was a violation of his civil rights and highlights systemic failures within the jail.“Let's be clear, the law protects everyone incarcerated at that jail, detainees who are arrested, anyone who's facing charges, and yes, the immigrant who is a target for deportation,” said Gabe Davis, CEO of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center. “The law does not grade human beings by their immigration status when it comes to protection from violence.”That all changed in June 2025 when Tenelanda was detained by ICE and held at the Butler County Jail. Tenelanda is suing the county, Sheriff Richard Jones, and a sergeant named Corneal Rowe after his attorneys claim he was assaulted by them. (WKRC)Tenelanda is now back in his home country of Ecuador. He was deported in August.The Butler County Sheriff's Office issued a statement in regard to the lawsuit."Sheriff Richard K. Jones is aware of the pending federal lawsuit involving a Butler County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer and former detainee, Luis Tenelanda, filed by the Ohio Justice and Policy Center and the Norris Law Group. The incident was investigated in 2025, and because this matter involves active litigation, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will not comment beyond denying what’s alleged in the lawsuit. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to the safe, secure, and professional operation of the Butler County Jail. Sheriff Jones continues to stand behind the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who perform a difficult and demanding job each day while maintaining the professionalism and integrity expected by the citizens of Butler County."