WA councilmember doxxes law enforcement believing them to be ICE agents

A King County Councilmember is facing mounting backlash and potential legal consequences after admitting she doxxed law enforcement officers she mistakenly believed were US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Last week, the far-left activist group Indivisible Washington’s 8th District shared a “PSA” from King County Councilmember Sarah Perry, warning that “at least 4 ICE agents” were staying at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Issaquah. The information came from a now-deleted post on Perry's personal Facebook page, which included the exact address of the hotel and even specified the floors the supposed agents were staying on.

The post continued: “Please be alert and supportive of our neighbors and community members and their kiddos. ICE is here arresting people in our community who are not here illegally. They each get $1k per person they pick up, regardless of circumstances. They have a monthly delivery quota and a $50k hiring bonus to join ICE to begin with. Please be alert this is not OK.”

After facing immediate criticism for exposing the whereabouts of law enforcement officers, Perry posted an apology on Facebook:

“Last night I posted information regarding ICE presence in our community on my personal Facebook page. While I am deeply concerned for the safety and rights of each of our impacted community members, I shouldn’t have included specific and unsubstantiated information regarding their whereabouts. I’ve removed the post and will continue to do what I can for the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable community members. Thank you for your care and concern as well.”

Brandi Kruse, host of the Undivided podcast, revealed that the individuals Perry doxxed were Washington State Patrol officers staying at the hotel for training, not ICE agents.

The incident may expose Perry to legal jeopardy under Washington’s anti-doxxing statute, which makes it unlawful to publish someone’s personal identifying information with intent, knowledge, or reckless disregard that it could be used to harm them.

The law allows victims of doxxing to sue and provides for significant penalties, including:

• Compensatory damages for actual harm;

• Punitive damages for egregious conduct;

• Statutory damages of $5,000 per violation;

• Attorney’s fees and legal costs;

• Court-ordered injunctions to prevent further harm.

A court can also issue temporary restraining orders or permanent injunctions to block ongoing disclosure of personal details.

Asked whether the state would pursue action against Perry, Mike Faulk, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI: “As a state agency, WSP is one of our clients that we represent and provide legal advice and analysis to. Our office has a longstanding policy of neither confirming nor denying questions about investigations or the potential for investigations.”