DHS Officials Falsely Claimed Child Abuse Material Search to Access Activist's Phone

Activist Targeted by DHS

Samuel Tunick, an activist involved with the Stop Cop City movement, was stopped by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in January 2025. An internal alert from a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) official to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other agencies stated Tunick was under investigation for "suspected terrorist activities" and requested he be directed to secondary inspection, with all electronics retained and passcodes collected.

False Pretext for Phone Search

During Tunick's interrogation, CBP officials informed him they needed to search his phone for "kiddie porn." However, newly filed court records, including a screenshot of the internal alert, reveal that the actual reason for the stop was suspicion of "terrorist activities." This indicates officials provided a false pretext to Tunick regarding the purpose of the search.

Phone Wiped, Criminal Charges Filed

Tunick provided officials with a code that wiped his GrapheneOS phone, which is designed for security and privacy. He is now facing criminal charges for allegedly destroying digital contents to prevent the government's lawful authority to take custody of the property. Matthew Dodge, one of Tunick's lawyers, noted the charges use an obscure law, making this an exceptionally rare case.

Broader Context and Implications

This incident is part of a broader context of cases against Stop Cop City activists. Tunick is not suspected of any crime beyond the alleged phone wiping. The case highlights concerns about government surveillance, civil liberties, and the methods used by law enforcement to access personal electronic devices, particularly in the context of activism and protest.