ICE agent charged with assault for allegedly pointing gun at Minneapolis drivers

The confrontation took place during rush-hour traffic on eastbound Highway 62 near the Interstate 35W interchange. According to the criminal complaint, Morgan was driving an unmarked rental SUV illegally on the shoulder to bypass traffic. The two occupants of another vehicle, seeing the SUV driving on the shoulder, moved their car to block its path, unaware that the driver was a law enforcement officer. After the civilian vehicle returned to the traffic lane, Morgan allegedly pulled alongside it, rolled down his window, and pointed his service weapon at both occupants. The victims, who were reportedly on their way to go shopping, told investigators they feared he was a "crazy person driving down the road aiming guns at people."

The incident occurred while Morgan was in the Minneapolis area as part of "Operation Metro Surge," an immigration enforcement initiative by the Trump administration that brought a significant number of federal agents to the city. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated that this is the first criminal case brought against a federal agent involved in the operation. In a voluntary interview with the Minnesota State Patrol, Morgan stated he was returning to the federal building to end his shift and drew his weapon because he "feared for his safety" after the other vehicle cut him off. However, charging documents note that Morgan did not claim the incident was part of an enforcement action. His partner, who was in the vehicle at the time, was not charged.

State Patrol investigators used traffic camera footage and license plate readers to identify the rental vehicle, which was traced back to another ICE employee. Moriarty emphasized that federal agents are not above the law in Minnesota, stating, "There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in the state of Minnesota." She described Morgan's alleged actions as "extremely dangerous" and well beyond the scope of a federal officer's authority. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have not issued immediate comments on the charges.

The charges against the ICE agent could heighten tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement tactics. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office had previously created an online portal for the public to submit evidence of what it termed illegal activity during Operation Metro Surge. If convicted, Morgan faces a presumptive sentence of three years in prison for each assault charge. Authorities have stated that arrangements for his surrender have not been made, and his current employment status with ICE is unknown.