Las Vegas Woman’s Arrest at ICE Protest Faces Renewed Scrutiny

A Las Vegas woman, Kathleen Cavalaro, whose charges stemming from an arrest during a June 2025 protest were initially dismissed, may face prosecution again after the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) resubmitted her case to the city attorney’s office. The case is drawing renewed attention due to discrepancies between body-camera footage, workplace records, and the original arrest report.

The June 11, 2025 Protest

Cavalaro was arrested during a demonstration on June 11, 2025, in downtown Las Vegas, where protesters rallied against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations. Approximately 100 people were arrested that night by LVMPD. FOX5 Vegas first reported on the case.

Discrepancies in the Arrest Report

Cavalaro stated she left work at 9:30 p.m. To join the protest, having observed videos of the demonstration throughout the day. Police announced the dispersal order online at 9:02 p.m., prior to her arrival. She reported observing people already leaving the area when she arrived. According to Cavalaro, she was walking away from officers when she was arrested.

Video evidence, including body-camera footage from SWAT Officer Mark Eshe and Cavalaro’s own cellphone video, appears to contradict details in the arrest report. The arrest report lists the time of arrest as 9:30 p.m. At 501 South Las Vegas Boulevard. However, the timestamp on Cavalaro’s cellphone video places her in the Fremont East District, blocks away from the address listed in the report, at 10:09 p.m. – nearly 40 minutes later.

Workplace records corroborate Cavalaro’s account, showing she did not leave work until 9:30 p.m., the same time the arrest report claims she was already under arrest at a different location. Body-camera audio from arresting Officer J. Tomlinson indicates the initial charge was unlawful assembly, while the arrest report lists failure to disperse. Tomlinson too stated a different location for the arrest – 6th and Bridger – in his body camera footage.

Federal Lawsuit and Allegations of Excessive Force

Cavalaro has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Metro Police and Officer Tomlinson, alleging unlawful arrest without probable cause. Her attorney, Stephen Stubbs, stated, “I can’t fathom any honest officer writing what they wrote in this arrest report. There is nothing truthful here…this entire arrest report is complete bologna.” FOX5 Investigates reported on Stubbs’ comments.

A separate lawsuit filed by Emanuel Beltran alleges that Officer Eshe, the same officer who shot pepper balls at Cavalaro while she was walking away, fired more than 150 pepper balls at protesters that night. Eshe was reportedly recorded on his body camera saying, “Kick some f—ing ass” before enforcement began. The Nevada Independent detailed these allegations.

Both Cavalaro and Beltran were initially accused of violating the dispersal order, but court records reveal Beltran was inside Circa Resort at the time of the alleged violation.

LVMPD and City Attorney Response

LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill addressed the resubmission of some protest cases, stating it was partly due to a lack of a “perfect arrest package” in the chaotic environment of the protest, where officers were targeted with objects. However, Cavalaro’s arrest report does not accuse her of throwing objects or engaging in physical violence.

The Las Vegas City Attorney’s Office has stated it is reviewing the refiled cases but has not confirmed whether Cavalaro’s case is among those being reconsidered. As of March 20, 2026, no charges have been filed against Cavalaro or Beltran, according to Stubbs. Las Vegas Sun and 8 News Now have also covered the legal proceedings.