MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An ICE agent, Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., has been charged with assault for allegedly threatening individuals with a gun while navigating a highway in Minneapolis, according to Minnesota prosecutors.
On February 5, Morgan is accused of pointing his firearm at individuals in another vehicle while he was driving a rented unmarked SUV on Minnesota State Highway 62. The Hennepin County arrest warrant details the claims against him, which include two counts of second-degree aggravated assault.
This prosecution is particularly notable as Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized that it may be the first criminal action against a federal immigration officer involved in the Trump administration’s controversial immigration enforcement campaign that has seen increased federal presence in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Portland.
Moriarty stated during a press briefing that Morgan’s behavior was outside the bounds of federal officer authority. There is no absolute immunity for federal agents who violate state laws, she affirmed, highlighting the potential for accountability within law enforcement officials.
The incident reportedly occurred after Morgan and his partner were caught in traffic while returning from their shift. An involved vehicle attempted to move into the shoulder in an effort to slow them down. Morgan allegedly pursued and pointed his service weapon at the vehicle, shouting Police Stop, although the occupants could not hear him due to closed windows.
Morgan's actions have sparked considerable attention, particularly as tensions mount between state and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement practices. The local government's efforts to ensure accountability in such incidents could lead to broader implications for how federal law enforcement operates within state jurisdictions.
Minnesota law stipulates that second-degree assault can carry a penalty of up to seven years in prison. Legal experts are closely monitoring this case, given its potential to influence future encounters between immigrant communities and federal enforcement agencies.
