An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has been charged with assault for allegedly pointing his firearm at people in a car while driving on a Minneapolis highway, prosecutors in Minnesota said on Thursday.
Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr, 35, faces two counts of second-degree aggravated assault after the incident on 5 February. According to an arrest warrant, Morgan was driving a rented, unmarked SUV on the shoulder of Minnesota state highway 62 when a car moved onto the shoulder to slow him down, unaware he was a federal officer. After the car returned to its lane, Morgan pulled alongside and aimed his service weapon at the occupants.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she believed this was the first criminal case against a federal agent involved in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which surged federal authorities into cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and New Orleans. Morgan and his partner were on their way to the federal building to end their shift when they became caught in traffic; charging documents note the incident did not occur during an enforcement action.
Moriarty stated that Morgan’s actions exceeded his authority, adding, “There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in the state of Minnesota.” The agent later told a Minnesota state patrol officer that he drew his firearm and yelled “Police. Stop.” but the victims could not hear him as their windows were up.
In Minnesota, felony second-degree assault carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, or up to 10 years if substantial bodily harm results. A warrant has been issued for Morgan’s arrest, while his partner was not charged. The Department of Homeland Security and justice department officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
