A Manhattan federal judge on Thursday found Brad Lander not guilty of misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident at a New York City immigration detention facility in September.

Magistrate Judge Henry Ricardo acquitted Lander, the former New York City comptroller, saying the politician appeared "tired" and "resigned to the situation" rather than willfully obstructive when he sat in front of an elevator at the Manhattan federal building.

The charges were related to Lander's attempt to inspect rooms holding detained immigrants at the facility. During the September incident, Lander was accused of blocking an elevator, but the judge determined his actions did not constitute willful obstruction.

"He seemed tired and he seemed a bit resigned to the situation," Judge Ricardo said before formally acquitting Lander of the charges.

Lander, a Democrat, is currently running for Congress and competing for incumbent Dan Goldman's congressional seat. Following the ruling, Lander expressed gratitude for the legal process, saying he felt "genuinely moved today by the rule of law" and praised his legal counsel and the judge's consideration of the case.

The case highlights ongoing tensions around immigration detention facilities and elected officials' efforts to conduct oversight of conditions at such facilities.