Jose Nieves
“From Soldier to Suspect: One Man’s Battle Against a Corrupt County”
By Amber Hwang
Jose Nieves is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran. He served this country honorably for over a decade — including three combat tours in Afghanistan and Libya — and earned multiple awards, including recognition as a “Local Hero” by the Miami Heat in 2014. He was a leader in Special Operations (160th SOAR-A), an armorer, and later became an Army recruiter. Bilingual, respected, and fiercely disciplined, Jose’s life was defined by service, structure, and sacrifice.
But today, he is the target of an orchestrated campaign of harassment by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), whose abuse of power has shattered our family and threatens everything we have worked to rebuild.
The Original Conviction: Accountability Already Paid
Jose was convicted in federal court nearly a decade ago for two counts of "enticement of a minor" — a non-contact offense stemming from his time as a recruiter. He served nearly 10 years in prison. The sentence was severe, but he served it. Fully. Honorably. Quietly. And he came home determined to build a better life.
Upon release in December 2024, Jose was placed on federal supervised release — 25 years of strict conditions, which we have followed to the letter.
The Set-Up in Highlands County
We relocated to Highlands County in early 2025, attempting to reintegrate, live quietly, and rebuild. Jose trained naturally and gained 25 lbs of lean muscle. He was beginning to explore legitimate employment opportunities and reconnect with family — all while adhering to every condition of his release.
But the Highlands County Sheriff's Office had other plans.
In January 2025, the Probation Officer conducted a surprise search of our home. They were looking for contraband — specifically, firearms. They found none. I had already stored all of our legally-owned firearms in a separate storage unit to ensure compliance with Jose’s restrictions. The home was declared clear.
Yet after that search, a chilling pattern of intimidation began.
False Allegations, No Evidence, and a Retaliatory Arrest
The HCSO began fabricating a narrative — fueled in part by my ex-husband, Michael Hwang, who has a history of making false allegations and attempting to weaponize the court system to maintain custody of our children.
They accused Jose of “Failure to Register” over a vehicle that was properly documented and a technicality involving temporary housing — matters which, under federal supervision, had already been cleared with his PO. These were not crimes. They were pretexts.
On May 29, 2025, deputies from the HCSO raided our home and arrested Jose with, but without legitimate probable cause. They seized his phone, violated our privacy, and threatened me — warning that I, too, could face felony charges simply for supporting him.
He is currently in jail, struggling to fight two cases. This was not law enforcement — this was retaliation.
The Fallout: Family Separation and Systemic Abuse
Since then, Jose has struggled to find stable employment because of the relentless restrictions and fear-based tactics imposed locally. I have been threatened, watched, and intimidated. Our children — who previously had a bond with Jose and were preparing to reunite with us — remain separated due to false narratives and outdated restrictions based on fear, not fact.
We are not asking for favors. We are demanding justice, transparency, and reform.
The Pattern of Corruption
Highlands County has a pattern of overreach and selective enforcement, particularly against formerly incarcerated individuals trying to reintegrate. Our story is not unique — it is part of a broader pattern of law enforcement using the sex offender registry and probation system as tools for control, not justice.
Detectives have lied to federal officers. They’ve violated constitutional protections. And they’ve done so with impunity.
Why We’re Speaking Out
We have nothing to hide. Jose has served his time. We are a family trying to live within the law. But the law in Highlands County is being used as a weapon by those in uniform who have forgotten their oath.
We are sharing this story now because silence enables abuse. We are calling on:
Journalists to investigate the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
Civil rights attorneys to challenge the illegal search, arrest, and threats.
Veterans’ advocates to stand behind a man who served this country with honor.
Family advocates to fight against a system that keeps children from loving homes.
We Will Not Be Silenced
This is not just Jose’s story. It’s a warning about what happens when unchecked power is allowed to run rampant in rural counties with no oversight.
We are ready to speak. We are ready to fight. And we welcome any platform — big or small — that will help us expose this injustice.
