A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly pointing his service weapon at motorists on a Minnesota highway in February, Hennepin County prosecutor Mary Moriarty announced Thursday.

Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, is accused of pointing a gun at a driver and passenger after he was driving on the shoulder of a state highway and another vehicle moved to slow him down. Morgan was in a rented, unmarked SUV with no visible ICE indicators at the time of the incident on February 5.

The charge marks the first time a federal agent has been criminally prosecuted for conduct during the Trump administration's 10-week immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, known as Operation Metro Surge. A nationwide warrant has been issued for Morgan's arrest.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive advocates and Democratic officials have called for greater accountability for federal immigration agents following a series of incidents in Minnesota this year. Hennepin County prosecutor Mary Moriarty framed the charges as an important milestone.

"We will not rest until we get the answers we seek about federal agent conduct across Hennepin County and accountability is delivered wherever appropriate," Moriarty said at a press conference.

The charges come after the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by immigration officers in January. Immigration rights advocates have criticized the tactics used during Operation Metro Surge, arguing that aggressive enforcement has endangered both immigrants and US citizens.

Moriarty noted that her office's investigation continues into the killings of Good and Pretti, as well as the shooting of Venezuelan migrant Julio Sosa-Celis during an interaction with ICE. The Transparency and Accountability Project is examining broader patterns of agent conduct.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative supporters of aggressive immigration enforcement have defended ICE's mission in Minnesota, arguing that agents face dangerous conditions while carrying out federal law. Some Republicans have questioned whether local prosecutors should be charging federal agents for conduct during legitimate enforcement operations.

The incident occurred as ICE agents were conducting high-priority deportations under Operation Metro Surge, which border tsar Tom Homan said resulted in the detention of many illegal immigrants who had committed violent crimes. The operation was dispatched after President Trump sent Homan to Minneapolis following the fatal shootings in January.

Morgan told state investigators he feared for his safety after another vehicle swerved and cut him off while he was returning to a federal building at the end of his shift. His attorney may argue that the agent's response was justified given what he perceived as a threat.

Some conservative commentators have criticized Moriarty for pursuing charges against federal agents, arguing that such prosecutions could discourage ICE officers from taking necessary enforcement action. The FBI and ICE have been contacted for comment on the charges.

What the Numbers Show

Operation Metro Surge was a 10-week immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that began in January 2026. This is the first criminal case against a federal agent for conduct during the operation.

Morgan faces two second-degree assault charges, each carrying a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison. A nationwide arrest warrant has been issued.

The incident involved a rented, unmarked SUV that showed no indication of being an ICE vehicle. The agent was on duty at the time, driving alongside a state highway.

Two other significant incidents during Operation Metro Surge remain under investigation: the fatal shootings of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January, and the non-fatal shooting of Venezuelan migrant Julio Sosa-Celis.

The Bottom Line

The criminal charges against Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. represent the first accountability case for a federal agent's conduct during Operation Metro Surge, but several other investigations into ICE actions in Minnesota remain ongoing.

Prosecutor Moriarty has signaled that her office will continue examining agent conduct across multiple incidents. The outcome of Morgan's case could establish precedent for how local prosecutors handle allegations against federal immigration officers.

ICE has not yet issued a public statement on the charges. Morgan remains at large with a nationwide warrant for his arrest. The case will proceed through Minnesota state courts, where prosecutors must prove that the agent's use of force was not justified under the circumstances.