ICE Agent Faces Assault Charges for Highway Gun Incident in Minneapolis
State prosecutors in Minnesota have formally charged an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault. The charges stem from an incident where the agent allegedly pointed his service weapon at the occupants of a car while driving on a highway in Minneapolis.
Details of the February Incident
According to charging documents filed in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, the incident occurred on February 5. Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., a 35-year-old ICE officer, was driving a rented, unmarked SUV on the shoulder of Minnesota State Highway 62 when another vehicle moved onto the shoulder, apparently attempting to slow him down without realizing he was a federal officer.
After the car returned to the legal lane, Morgan allegedly pulled up alongside it and pointed his firearm at the people inside. The warrant states that Morgan told a Minnesota State Patrol officer he yelled "Police Stop," but the victims could not hear him because their windows were up. Morgan and his partner, who was not charged, were reportedly on their way to end their shift at the federal building when caught in traffic.
Prosecutor's Stance and Potential Consequences
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the charges during a news conference on Thursday, noting this appears to be the first criminal case against a federal immigration officer involved in the Trump administration's recent immigration enforcement surge. Moriarty emphasized that Morgan's actions were "beyond the scope of a federal officer's authority" and that "there is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in the state of Minnesota."
Morgan faces two assault counts because he threatened both people in the vehicle. In Minnesota, second-degree assault is a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, or up to ten years if substantial bodily harm was inflicted. An arrest warrant has been issued for Morgan.
Broader Political Context and Federal Response
The charges could intensify ongoing clashes between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials over immigration enforcement tactics. The Department of Homeland Security deployed approximately 3,000 federal officers to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area from December through February in what the agency described as its "largest immigration enforcement operation ever." This operation resulted in thousands of arrests, mass protests, and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has previously warned that the Justice Department could investigate and prosecute state or local officials who arrest federal agents performing official duties. In a letter to California officials last year, then-Deputy Attorney General Blanche wrote that arrests of federal agents during official duties are "both illegal and futile" and that federal laws prohibit interfering with immigration operations.
Moriarty stated she is not concerned about potential blowback from the Trump administration, asserting her office's goal is to "hold people accountable if they violate the laws of the state."
Recent Developments in Immigration Enforcement Leadership
Backlash over aggressive immigration tactics has led to significant leadership changes. President Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March shortly after the Minnesota operation concluded. That same month, Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol sector chief who led immigration operations in several major cities, announced his retirement.
Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the charges against Morgan. The Associated Press attempted to contact Morgan through a phone number and possible email address but received no immediate response.
