Newly released law enforcement footage shows the arrest of Christopher Martinez Marvan, a Helena man and Mexican national, after a stop by Helena Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in early July.
The detainment of Martinez Marvan, who lives in Helena with his wife and four children, sparked blowback from local residents. At subsequent public meetings and protests, many people questioned the police department’s participation in the stop. Law enforcement officers were jointly pursuing a different man who they said was subject to a criminal warrant when they pulled over Martinez Marvan in an apparent case of mistaken identity.
Attorneys for Martinez Marvan on Wednesday entered the body camera and dashboard camera footage as exhibits in federal court proceedings seeking to stop the 31-year-old man’s deportation. The July 1 body camera footage recorded by Helena Police Officer Seth Montgomery documents the events of the traffic stop and several Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, officers on the scene.
In one of the videos, Montgomery can be heard asking Martinez Marvan for identification, to which Martinez Marvan said he did not have any.
Helena Police Department officers then directed Martinez Marvan to step out of his vehicle and placed handcuffs on him.
Other video footage shows Martinez Marvan being questioned by federal officers wearing tan vests and police badges as Montgomery worked to confirm Martinez Marvan’s identity.
Later, Montgomery’s body camera footage records another Helena Police Department officer, Andrew Barton, approaching the patrol car’s passenger window. Barton can then be heard saying, “Yeah, he’s like, he’s being kidnapped right now.” Barton can be seen smiling during his comment.
Montgomery responded, “OK. Good enough for me,” before the body footage cuts off.
A spokesperson for the Helena Police Department, Lt. Adam Shanks, on Thursday confirmed Barton’s identity in the video.
In a written statement sent later to Montana Free Press, Helena Chief of Police Brett Petty said the department was not aware of Barton’s comment during its initial review of the incident. Petty said he was “incredibly disappointed with the comment that was made.”
“We want to assure the public that any statements or actions that are insensitive or unprofessional are taken seriously and are subject to internal review. Personnel matters are handled within the department and will be addressed in accordance with our collective bargaining agreement. The detective in question has been on personal leave, and the matter will be addressed upon their return,” Petty said. “We remain committed to upholding the integrity and professionalism expected of the Helena Police Department and appreciate the community’s understanding as we address this matter appropriately.”
Martinez Marvan is set to appear in federal court in Missoula on Thursday afternoon.
This story was updated July 10, 2025, to include additional comments from the Helena Police Department.
Mara Silvers contributed reporting.
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