Ramsey County authorities are investigating whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents kidnapped, burglarized, or falsely imprisoned ChongLy 'Scott' Thao when they arrested him at his St. Paul home in January.
Key Takeaways
Ramsey County, Minnesota is investigating whether ICE agents kidnapped, burglarized, or falsely imprisoned ChongLy 'Scott' Thao during a January arrest at his St. Paul home. The investigation comes amid broader scrutiny of federal officer activities in Minnesota.
- Ramsey County officials are examining if ICE's actions constitute kidnapping, burglary, or false imprisonment
- Thao was forcibly removed from his home without a warrant and taken outside in freezing conditions wearing only underwear
- DHS has refused to cooperate with local investigations into federal officers' conduct during Operation Metro Surge
The investigation focuses on the circumstances of Thao's arrest, during which masked ICE officers forcibly entered his home without a warrant and led him outside in freezing conditions while he was dressed only in underwear and wrapped in a blanket. Videos captured neighbors blowing whistles, honking horns, and shouting at agents to leave the family alone.
According to The Guardian, Thao claims ICE officers drove him 'to the middle of nowhere' before photographing him in frigid weather and returning him home almost two hours later. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher have requested information from DHS for their investigation, but the department has refused cooperation.
As reported by The Guardian, ICE maintains that its agents were executing a warrant targeting sexual predators with ties to Thao's property. The agency claims it does not 'kidnap' people and called Ramsey County's announcement 'nothing but a political stunt to demonize ICE law enforcement.' However, Choi emphasized the investigation is about seeking truth rather than pursuing any predetermined agenda.
The case has become symbolic of broader scrutiny surrounding federal officer activities in Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge. As reported by PBS, nine Ramsey County law enforcement agencies are investigating other potentially felonious conduct by federal agents, with numerous victims filing police reports. The state and Hennepin County have also sued the Trump administration for access to evidence related to three shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis.
The DHS statement did not address Ramsey County officials' claim that it had refused to respond to their letter. Choi said the county was merely trying to establish exactly what happened to determine if crimes were committed that could be prosecuted under state or federal law.
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