Minnesota Probes Federal Arrest of US Citizen at Gunpoint

Officials from a Minnesota county have announced that they are conducting an investigation into the arrest of a Hmong American man by federal officers, which was documented on video. The investigation is being conducted in the context of a potential case of false imprisonment, burglary, and kidnapping. [Source]

At a news conference, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher announced that they are currently in the process of obtaining the necessary information from the Department of Homeland Security to further their investigation into the arrest of ChongLy "Scott" Thao, 56, on January 18. St. Paul, the state capital, is situated within Ramsey County.

Ramsey County, Minnesota, officials announced on Monday that they are initiating an inquiry into the arrest of a Hmong American man, under the suspicion of false imprisonment, burglary, and abduction by federal agents.

According to Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, it is one of two ongoing investigations into the actions of federal agents during Operation Metro Surge. Three additional cases are currently in the preliminary phase.

According to Choi, nine law enforcement agencies in Ramsey County are currently conducting investigations into additional potentially felonious actions by federal agents. Numerous victims have submitted police reports.

"This is not about any predetermined agenda, other than to investigate the facts and seek the truth," Choi stated.

Why This News Matters:

At its core, this is about trust—and whether people feel safe in their own homes. A U.S. citizen being taken out of his house at gunpoint, without a clear warrant, is the kind of situation that raises serious questions about how far federal authorities can go. It also puts a spotlight on accountability: if something goes wrong, who actually answers for it?

Details of the Arrest and Incident

According to Choi and Fletcher, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers broke open the front door of Thao's St. Paul residence at gunpoint without a warrant. They then escorted him outside in only his undergarments and a blanket in the freezing temperatures. [Source]

In January, federal agents were observed in videos breaking down the door of 56-year-old U.S. citizen ChongLy Scott Thao without a warrant. Little more than a blanket and his underwear, they brought him out into the chill.

"There is no dispute that he was forcibly removed from his home and transported in an automobile," Fletcher stated.

"The January 18 incident involves a felonious allegation of false imprisonment, illegal detention, and kidnapping," Ramsey County Attorney John Choi stated.

Thao stated in an interview with The Associated Press in January that agents eventually discovered that he was a long-standing U.S. citizen with no criminal history. After a few hours, they transported him back to his residence.

The sheriff continued, "Is it a good practice for law enforcement to remove an American citizen from their residence and conduct an aimless search to ascertain what they can disclose?"

Federal Response and Dispute Over Evidence

Ramsey County and other state and local investigations into the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal officers during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement have been refused cooperation by DHS, which oversees ICE.

According to the agency, Ramsey County's announcement was "nothing but a political stunt to demonize ICE law enforcement" and that "ICE does not 'kidnap' people."

Thao, according to the county attorney, was forcibly removed from his residence in St. Paul and transported outside in subzero temperatures while wearing minimal apparel. For more than an hour, he was subjected to questioning while traveling in a vehicle that was not his residence. [Source]

Ramsey County officials stated on Monday that there is "no indication" that the agents had a warrant for entrance or arrest.

The ICE statement did not respond to the county's request for evidence; however, it stated that investigators "concluded that sexual predator targets had ties to the property."

“We will not relinquish it,” the counsel declared.

Broader Context: Operation Metro Surge and Ongoing Probes

During Operation Metro Surge, the months-long immigration enforcement crackdown that roiled Minnesota, Thao was detained as protesters clashed with federal agents.

Ramsey County officials are not the first local authorities to initiate investigations into the actions of federal immigration agents.

Last month, officials in Hennepin County, which is adjacent to Minneapolis, announced that they are conducting an investigation into over a dozen incidents involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis to ascertain whether any laws were violated during Operation Metro Surge.

Last month, the state and the chief prosecutor of Hennepin County filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in order to obtain the evidence they claim is necessary for an independent investigation into three shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

The Trump administration has alleged that Minnesota officials do not have the authority to investigate federal law enforcement actions. However, Fletcher expressed his conviction that they do.

The constable stated, "Federal agents are not granted absolute immunity."

What to Watch Next:

The key thing now is whether federal agencies cooperate and what evidence actually surfaces. If investigators confirm misconduct, it could lead to charges or broader legal challenges over how operations like “Metro Surge” are carried out. It may also set up a larger showdown over whether states can investigate federal agents—and where the limits of federal power really lie.