Background checker for ICE arrested in prostitution sting, police say | EUROtoday

A background checker for Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been arrested in a prostitution sting, in accordance with authorities.

Police in Bloomington, Minnesota, introduced 30 arrests in “Operation Lookin’ for Love…In All the Wrong Places.”

Of the 30 suspects, 28 shall be charged with gross misdemeanors and two shall be charged with felonies due to prior convictions, Bloomington Police Chief Booker T. Hodges mentioned in a press convention Tuesday.

Hodges mentioned the variety of arrests is a “record for us in one of these operations.”

During the operation, native authorities talked to greater than 330 folks making an attempt to purchase intercourse in Bloomington, Hodges mentioned. Among these arrested was 36-year-old Brashad Johnson of Maple Grove.

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“This is the most disturbing arrest that we’ve had here. He is a backgrounder for ICE. Homeland Security and federal agencies,” Hodges mentioned of Johnson. “So when you’re getting your security clearance, this is one of the guys that does your backgrounds, which is kinda scary. We locked him up.”

“For all the ICE agents, Homeland Security agents and people getting security clearance, this is one of the people that does the backgrounds. And you come here trying to purchase sex,” Hodges mentioned of Johnson with a upset look on his face.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security denied that Johnson works for ICE.

“This individual is NOT an ICE employee or contractor. He has no affiliation with ICE,” the spokesperson advised The Independent. “This is just another smear peddled by sanctuary politicians and the media leading to a 1,300% increase in assaults against our brave ICE law enforcement.”

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The Department of Homeland Security’s determine on assaults in opposition to ICE brokers was not verified by The Independent.

Information about Johnson’s authorized illustration was not instantly clear.

Hodges mentioned his division would’ve arrested extra folks, however “obviously, with the ‘Operation Metro Surge’ going on, citizens thought that we were potentially ICE and that kinda interfered with our operation.”

“Operation Metro Surge” is the title of the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota. The White House introduced final week that greater than 4,000 “dangerous criminal illegal aliens” have been arrested within the state.

The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota has sparked intense backlash, which has, partially, been fueled by the lethal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by the hands of federal brokers in Minneapolis final month.