ICE Agent Charged with Assault for Pointing Gun at Civilians on Highway

Prosecutors say it's the first criminal case against a federal immigration officer involved in the Minnesota crackdown.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:38am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a law enforcement badge or handcuff against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the stark, gritty investigation into an ICE agent's alleged misconduct.A federal immigration agent's alleged abuse of power on a Minnesota highway sparks a rare criminal case against a U.S. officer.Minneapolis Today

A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly pointing his gun at the occupants of a car while driving on a Minnesota highway. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said it is the first criminal case brought against a federal officer involved in the recent immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis and other major cities.

Why it matters

The charges against the ICE agent highlight growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials over aggressive tactics used during the crackdown. Minnesota authorities have vowed to hold federal officers accountable for any violations of state law, even as the Trump administration has warned of potential federal investigations into local officials who arrest federal agents.

The details

According to the arrest warrant, ICE officer Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. was driving an unmarked SUV back to immigration offices at the end of his shift on February 5 when he pulled alongside another car on the highway shoulder. The driver and passenger of that car called 911, saying Morgan rolled down his window and pointed a handgun at them. Investigators say Morgan told them he feared for his safety after the other car 'swerved over in front of him and cut him off', but the warrant states the victims could not tell Morgan was a law enforcement officer because their windows were up.

  • The incident occurred on February 5, 2026.
  • Morgan was charged on April 17, 2026.

The players

Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr.

A 35-year-old ICE officer who is accused of pointing his gun at civilians on a Minnesota highway.

Mary Moriarty

The Hennepin County Attorney who announced the charges against Morgan, stating it is the first criminal case against a federal immigration officer involved in the recent crackdown in Minnesota.

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What they’re saying

“There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in the state of Minnesota.”

— Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney

“When you look at it more closely, flashing a gun is a serious threat. And there's a good argument that isn't part of his official duties … it's abusing his powers.”

— Michael Gerhardt, Constitutional law professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What’s next

Prosecutors say there is an active nationwide warrant for Morgan's arrest. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison for each assault charge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials over aggressive enforcement tactics, and underscores the challenges in holding federal agents accountable for alleged misconduct even when it appears to violate state laws.