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Minnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong American man as a possible kidnapping
Officials say ICE officers may have committed kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment after mistakenly detaining a U.S. citizen, then releasing him hours later.
- On Monday, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher announced a criminal investigation into the January 18 detention of ChongLy 'Scott' Thao as potential kidnapping, burglary, and false imprisonment by federal immigration agents.
- Federal agents broke down Thao's front door without a warrant in January, dragging the 56-year-old outside in freezing weather wearing only underwear and a blanket before releasing him two hours later upon realizing he was a U.S. citizen.
- Homeland Security claimed agents sought two convicted sex offenders, but Thao denied knowing the men, and Minnesota Department of Corrections records confirmed one target was already incarcerated in a Minneapolis-area prison.
- County prosecutors issued a formal Touhy Demand on March 20 requesting federal records, setting an April 30 deadline; they warned DHS they may convene a grand jury or file suit if compliance is refused.
- The investigation tests federal accountability during Operation Metro Surge, following the administration's refusal to provide evidence in earlier fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.
142 Articles
142 Articles
Minnesota is investigating ICE agents for the possible kidnapping of a US citizen during a raid
An image of a man in his underwear, wrapped in a blanket as he was being arrested by federal agents, went viral during the massive immigration raid launched by the White House in Minnesota earlier this year, sparking outrage across the country. Now, the arrest of that man, a U.S. citizen, has triggered a criminal investigation into possible kidnapping, unlawful entry, and unlawful detention, and has opened a new front of conflict between local a…
ICE arrest of man in his underwear on frigid day prompts investigation
It became one of the searing images of the Trump administration’s immigration operation in Minnesota earlier this year. After using a battering ram to break down the door of a home in St. Paul, federal agents handcuffed ChongLy Scott Thao and led him outside in subzero temperatures wearing only boxer shorts and slip-on shoes.
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