Bounty Hunters Charged After Confrontation with Minneapolis Protesters

Unregulated private enforcers escalated tensions outside jail, raising concerns over federal immigration policies

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:50am

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Two Oklahoma-based bounty hunters, James Reginal Willis and Garrett Christopher Willis, have been charged with felonies after an incident where they allegedly brandished replica firearms and fired pepper balls at unarmed anti-ICE protesters outside a Minneapolis jail. The confrontation occurred against the backdrop of heightened community tensions over federal immigration enforcement operations, underscoring gaps in state oversight of private bounty hunters.

Why it matters

This case highlights how federal immigration policies can create volatile situations where both protesters exercising free speech and private contractors performing lawful duties find themselves in dangerous confrontations. The lack of state regulations for bounty hunters allowed these out-of-state operators to brandish realistic-looking weapons and fire on unarmed civilians without proper training, insurance, or accountability measures.

The details

According to court documents, on March 3, 2026, the two bounty hunters were leaving the Hennepin County jail after delivering a detainee when they encountered anti-ICE protesters surrounding their van. Garrett Willis allegedly pointed a handgun-like replica at demonstrators and pulled the trigger twice, while James Willis fired pepper balls at civilians' feet from a rifle-like pepper ball gun. Their van nearly struck two protesters as they departed. The bounty hunters claimed protesters threatened to 'scalp, kill, or shoot them,' but authorities found no audio or video evidence supporting these allegations, and the civilians appeared unarmed.

  • On March 3, 2026, the confrontation occurred outside the Hennepin County jail in downtown Minneapolis.
  • On April 1, 2026, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty filed charges and issued arrest warrants for the two bounty hunters.
  • The first court appearance for James Reginal Willis and Garrett Christopher Willis is scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The players

James Reginal Willis

A 54-year-old Oklahoma-based bounty hunter who was charged with felonies after the confrontation with protesters.

Garrett Christopher Willis

A 28-year-old Oklahoma-based bounty hunter who was charged with felonies after the confrontation with protesters.

Mary Moriarty

The Hennepin County Attorney who filed charges against the bounty hunters and condemned their actions as 'disturbing, unlawful.'

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What they’re saying

“We must have comprehensive bounty hunter regulations including mandatory licensing, bonding, minimum $1 million insurance, 20 hours of classroom training plus 40 hours of arrest training, proper documentation, and prohibitions against misrepresenting themselves as law enforcement.”

— Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney

What’s next

Additional charges remain possible if the two protesters nearly struck by the van come forward to provide testimony.

The takeaway

This case highlights how federal immigration enforcement policies can create chaotic situations where both protesters and private contractors find themselves in dangerous confrontations, underscoring the need for stronger state oversight and regulations of bounty hunters to protect public safety and individual liberty.