Minnesota prosecutors charge ICE agent with assault, issue nationwide warrant for his arrest

A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly pulling a gun on individuals tailing him on the highway during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. Minnesota state prosecutors issued a warrant for his arrest on Thursday.

The incident occurred on February 5, at a time when anti-ICE activists aggressively pursued, targeted, and assaulted federal agents to prevent them from carrying out large-scale immigration enforcement operations.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarity announced the charges during a press briefing, describing the ICE agent's alleged conduct as "extremely dangerous." The agent, identified as Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., told investigators that he was traveling with his partner back to the Whipple Federal Building to end his shift when he felt compelled to brandish his service weapon over a perceived threat.

Prosecutors said that an individual, described as one of the two victims, had pulled their vehicle in front of Morgan's, who had been "driving illegally" in the shoulder lane of Highway 62, to allegedly "slow him down." Morgan was driving a rented SUV with no law enforcement markings. The victim claimed that they did not know it was a federal vehicle at the time.

After the individual left the shoulder lane and rejoined traffic, Morgan allegedly pulled his vehicle up to the driver's and brandished his firearm at the driver and passenger. The driver called 911, while the passenger pulled out their phone to film Morgan.
 

Per the prosecutor’s complaint, Morgan "stated that Victim 1 swerved over in front of him and cut him off. Defendant claimed that he feared for his safety and the safety of others so, in response, he pulled alongside Victim 1's vehicle, rolled down his window, drew his firearm, and yelled 'Police Stop.' [Morgan] stated he was trying to get Victim 1 to 'back up.' Defendant acknowledged that his firearm was a Glock 19 with a laser light, which Defendant had holstered on his right hip at the time of the interview. Defendant stated that after he pulled the gun on Victim 1 and Victim 2 he got in front of their vehicle and drove to the Whipple Building," per ABC News.

Moriarity expressed glee about the charges, saying, "This is the first federal agent charged in connection with what happened here in Operation Metro Surge." 

She continued, "Is it the first case of its kind nationally? We believe it is."

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have not yet commented on the charges. 

Moriarity said ICE should be making arrangements for Morgan to return to Minneapolis. "There is now a warrant for Mr. Morgan's arrest, which allows law enforcement to arrest him anywhere in the country," she said.