Marie‑Thérèse Ross‑Mahé, an 85‑year‑old French widow, was taken into custody by ICE at her late husband Bill Ross’s Anniston home after a bitter inheritance dispute. The arrest occurred while her sons, who inherited the estate, were fighting over control of assets worth roughly $173,000.

Alabama probate judge Shirley A. Millwood ruled that Tony Ross, a former state trooper, likely used his positions to orchestrate the arrest. The judge’s order also barred the Ross brothers from selling or disposing of any of Bill Ross’s property, citing concerns over possible abuse of power.

The case highlights how familial conflicts can spill into federal enforcement actions, especially when immigration status and estate claims intersect. With Ross‑Mahé now detained in Louisiana, her French children and the local community face uncertainty, while the probate court remains pressed to resolve the estate amid allegations of coercion.

Ultimately, the incident underscores the need for clearer safeguards around estate disputes involving non‑citizen spouses, and it may prompt state and federal courts to scrutinize future cases where law‑enforcement influence could affect inheritance outcomes.