An HBCU baseball standout detained by ICE earlier this month made his first public statements following his ordeal.
Savannah State University baseball player Johan Sandoval says he was cooperative during the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement traffic stop that led to his detention earlier this month, disputing the agency’s account that he attempted to flee.
In an interview with WJCL 22 News, Sandoval, a 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic, spoke publicly about the July 3 traffic stop in New York, the nearly two weeks he spent in federal immigration custody and his hopes of returning to Savannah State University while his immigration case moves forward.
Sandoval said he was driving to the gym when two armed ICE agents stopped his vehicle after a truck pulled in front of him.
“I looked down to grab some gum, and when I looked up, this truck pulled up in front of me,” Sandoval told WJCL. “I was like, ‘What happened?’ I looked around and was like, is it me?”
He said he complied with agents’ instructions, provided his immigration paperwork and was taken into custody.
Sandoval denies ICE accusation
In a July 8 statement, ICE said Sandoval attempted to flee on foot during the arrest. Sandoval denied that claim, saying he followed agents’ orders.
“I was just kind of scared,” he said. “I was just being really cooperative.”
Sandoval also said he had no indication that immigration authorities were looking for him before the stop.
“From my perspective, I was doing everything right,” he said.
ICE previously said Sandoval entered the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa in 2022. According to the agency, the visa was terminated in April 2025 after he allegedly failed to comply with its requirements.
Sandoval said he did not understand why he had been detained until several days later, when he spoke with his attorney.
“I never really knew what happened until I was in the facility … my lawyer told me everything,” he said.
He described the first days in detention as especially difficult.
“My first two days, it was really hard,” Sandoval said. “I had to sleep on the floor.”
An immigration judge granted Sandoval bond Wednesday, allowing his release while his case proceeds. As a condition of his release, he is required to wear an ankle monitor.
Fear of detainment haunts student-athlete
Sandoval is staying with his fiancée’s family in New York. His future mother-in-law, Lynn Tiberio, said the family is helping pay his legal expenses.
“He has zero hatred in his heart for anybody,” Tiberio said. “He is the purest, kindest, most loving, God-fearing man that I know.”
Despite his release, Sandoval said the experience continues to affect him.
“In my mind, I still have the thought that somebody is going to come get me again,” he said.
Sandoval said he hopes to return to Savannah State and resume playing baseball as his immigration proceedings continue.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help pay Sandoval’s legal expenses and support his family during the case.
