MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An ICE agent has been charged with assault for allegedly drawing his firearm on civilians while driving on a Minneapolis highway, according to prosecutors in Minnesota.
Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. is accused of two counts of second-degree aggravated assault following an incident on February 5, when he reportedly threatened occupants of another vehicle while driving an unmarked government SUV.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated that this may be the first criminal case aimed at a federal immigration officer during the Trump administration’s rigorous immigration enforcement campaign that saw increased federal presence in major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
Moriarty revealed that Morgan, while on his way to end his shift, pulled up next to a car that had tried to slow him down. He then pointed his gun at the occupants and shouted “Police Stop.” However, the victims couldn’t hear him due to closed windows.
Morgan faces two counts of assault as he threatened both individuals in the vehicle. An arrest warrant has been issued against him.
His actions have sparked a potential legal clash as tensions rise regarding federal immigration enforcement actions. Moriarty insists she is unbothered by any backlash from federal authorities and remains committed to prosecuting unlawful acts under Minnesota law.
There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in Minnesota, Moriarty said.
In Minnesota, second-degree assault can carry a penalty of up to seven years in prison; the intensity of the charges may increase depending on whether substantial bodily harm was inflicted.
This incident raises further questions about the accountability of federal agents and the implications of aggressive immigration policies.
