Minnesota Charges ICE Officer with Assault During Immigration Crackdown

Prosecutors say this is the first case against a federal agent for actions during the recent surge of immigration enforcement in the state.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:26pm

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A realistic, cinematic painting depicting an unmarked black SUV parked on the side of a highway, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a moody, contemplative atmosphere.A somber scene of the unmarked vehicle at the center of allegations of misconduct by federal immigration enforcement during a heightened crackdown in Minnesota.Minneapolis Today

State and local prosecutors in Minnesota have charged an ICE officer with two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident that occurred during the recent immigration enforcement crackdown in the state. The charges against 35-year-old Gregory Donnell Morgan, Jr. appear to be the first against a federal immigration agent for actions taken while on duty during the heightened immigration operations.

Why it matters

The charges against the ICE officer come as Minnesota authorities are still investigating several high-profile incidents from the immigration surge, including the fatal police shootings of two U.S. citizens and a Venezuelan immigrant by federal agents. This case represents an effort by state and local officials to seek accountability for alleged misconduct by federal immigration enforcement during the crackdown.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, on February 5th, Morgan, an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer detailed to the Minneapolis area, allegedly pointed a gun at two people in another vehicle while driving on the highway. The victims said they briefly pulled in front of Morgan's unmarked SUV, which was driving on the shoulder, in an attempt to block him from bypassing traffic illegally. Morgan then allegedly pulled up next to them, rolled down his window, and pointed a black handgun at both the driver and passenger, yelling something they couldn't understand. The victims called 911 and provided the SUV's license plate, which led investigators to identify Morgan as the driver.

  • On February 5, the alleged incident occurred on a highway in the Twin Cities area.
  • On April 16, state and local prosecutors in Minnesota announced the charges against Morgan.

The players

Gregory Donnell Morgan, Jr.

A 35-year-old Maryland resident who was an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer detailed to the Minneapolis area at the time of the incident.

Mary Moriarty

The Hennepin County Attorney who announced the charges against Morgan at a press conference.

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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

What’s next

There is a nationwide warrant for Morgan's arrest, and authorities are still investigating several other high-profile incidents from the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, including the fatal police shootings of two U.S. citizens and a Venezuelan immigrant by federal agents.

The takeaway

The charges against the ICE officer represent an effort by state and local officials in Minnesota to hold federal immigration enforcement accountable for alleged misconduct during the recent heightened immigration crackdown in the state, which has raised concerns about the use of force and civil rights violations.