Del Castillo v. Hingiss

(Filed: Aug. 11, 2025)

On April 24, 2025, Whitefish police officer Michael Hingiss stopped Beker Rengifo Del Castillo for a supposed broken taillight. Although Beker, who lawfully resides in Flathead County, presented a valid, unexpired REAL ID driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance, Hingiss detained him and called Border Patrol solely because he spoke Spanish. The officer delayed the stop until federal agents arrived, and Beker was taken into ICE custody for nearly a week before being released without explanation.

Targeting non-white and non-English speaking individuals for wrongful investigation and enforcement of federal immigration laws violates the Constitution. 

On August 11, 2025 Beker filed action against the City of Whitefish and its employees. Beker requests that the court enter a declaratory judgment that the Defendants violated his constitutional rights, and award appropriate damages.