ICE Officer Charged with Assault for Threatening Drivers with Gun in Minnesota

Hennepin County Attorney says case is first of its kind in the country.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:52pm

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An extreme close-up of a gun barrel and trigger mechanism, capturing the stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic of the Weegee photographic style to conceptually illustrate a criminal case against a federal immigration agent.A criminal case against an ICE officer for allegedly brandishing his service weapon at civilians during an immigration enforcement operation exposes tensions over the use of force by federal agents.Minneapolis Today

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has filed criminal charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer for allegedly brandishing his service weapon at two people during a highway confrontation in February. Gregory Donnell Morgan, Jr. faces two felony counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for the incident, which Moriarty says is the first of its kind in the country.

Why it matters

The charges against the ICE officer come amid ongoing tensions between local prosecutors and federal immigration authorities over incidents during Operation Metro Surge, including the killings of two individuals by ICE agents. This case highlights the challenges of holding federal agents accountable for actions taken while on duty.

The details

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred in February when the two alleged victims saw Morgan, who was driving an unmarked SUV, illegally passing traffic on the right shoulder of Highway 62 in Minneapolis. When the victims tried to prevent Morgan from passing, he pulled up beside them, rolled down his window, and pointed his service weapon at them. Frightened, the victims called 911 to report the incident. Morgan later admitted to state police that he was driving the SUV and returning to the Whipple Federal Building, which serves as the ICE headquarters in Minnesota, after finishing his shift.

  • In February 2026, the alleged incident occurred on Highway 62 in Minneapolis.
  • On April 16, 2026, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the criminal charges against Gregory Donnell Morgan, Jr.

The players

Mary Moriarty

The Hennepin County Attorney who filed the criminal charges against the ICE officer.

Gregory Donnell Morgan, Jr.

The ICE officer who faces two felony counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly pointing a gun at two people during a highway confrontation.

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What they’re saying

“Today's charges reflect an important milestone in our efforts to seek accountability for the harms inflicted on our community during Operation Metro Surge.”

— Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney

“Mr. Morgan's conduct was extremely dangerous. Driving while pointing a weapon out of your moving vehicle at the victims who were in another moving vehicle could have led to yet another disastrous incident.”

— Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow Gregory Donnell Morgan, Jr. out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of holding federal immigration agents accountable for their actions, even when they appear to violate state laws. It also underscores the ongoing tensions between local prosecutors and federal authorities over incidents during immigration enforcement operations.