Arrest warrant issued for ICE officer accused of pulling gun on Minnesota driver
Arrest Warrant Issued for ICE Officer Charged with Pointing Gun at Minnesota Driver
Minnesota’s Hennepin County prosecutors have announced an arrest warrant for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, Greg Morgan, who is accused of aiming his government-issued firearm at a civilian vehicle and its occupants during a routine drive. The incident occurred in early February as Morgan was returning to end his shift, according to county attorney Mary Moriarty.
Morgan was observed on the roadside shoulder by a second vehicle that briefly entered the same area before resuming its lane. Moriarty stated that the officer then approached the other car, pointing the gun out of his window at two passengers. No immediate confrontation took place, but prosecutors say Morgan’s actions constitute second-degree assault.
Charges and Legal Context
County prosecutors revealed during a press conference that they are unaware of Morgan’s current location or employment status with ICE. No communication has been made with the Department of Homeland Security regarding the incident or the charges, Moriarty noted.
“There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who break the law in Minnesota or any other state,” Moriarty emphasized, addressing claims from the Trump administration that ICE officers are protected from state legal action.
State vs Federal Authority
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized the Department of Homeland Security’s operations during the “Metro Surge” immigration campaign, calling its actions an overreach of state authority. “These officers were masked, armed, and responsible for killing two Minnesotans—firing more than that,” he said on MS NOW, describing the effort as “authoritarianism in practice.”
Ellison highlighted ongoing tensions between state and federal investigators, with federal officials sometimes blocking access to evidence. State prosecutors have sued DHS, seeking all documentation from the Pretti investigation, where agents were denied interviews and their identities withheld.
Unique Aspects of the Case
Morgan’s case stands out due to the availability of road cameras and his own interview with Minnesota state patrol. Moriarty explained that the swift progression of charges was made possible by these factors, while her office continues to investigate 17 ICE-related incidents and has conducted over 50 interviews.
During the interview, Morgan reportedly told investigators he yelled “police” before drawing his weapon, though the passengers were unaware of his identity. “All they saw was the gun pointed at their heads,” Moriarty added, underscoring the moment’s impact on the public.
CNN has contacted DHS for comment and is pursuing an attorney for Morgan to provide further details. Moriarty framed the decision to pursue charges as part of her office’s commitment to transparency, acknowledging the community’s close attention to the unfolding cases.
CNN’s Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this report.
