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Federal Agents Detain U.S. Citizen in St. Paul During Operation Targeting Convicted Sex Offenders

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U.S. Citizen Detained by ICE in St. Paul Operation

Federal immigration agents detained a U.S. citizen at his St. Paul, Minnesota home on Sunday during an operation targeting convicted sex offenders. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states the operation was targeted, while the detained man's family and local officials dispute the agency's account of events and its justification for the action.

The Detention Incident

On a Sunday afternoon, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) entered the residence of ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a 56-year-old Hmong-American man and U.S. citizen.

  • Thao reported that agents forcibly entered his home without presenting a warrant.
  • He stated that agents, some of whom were masked, pointed firearms at him and his daughter-in-law, handcuffed him, and prevented him from retrieving his identification.
  • Thao was led outside in his underwear and sandals, with a blanket, in subfreezing temperatures, according to his account and a witness, Mark Goldberg.
  • Thao stated he was transported to an unspecified location for photography. After approximately one to two hours, agents confirmed his U.S. citizenship and lack of a criminal record and returned him home.
  • Thao reported that no explanation or apology was provided for the detention.

Official DHS Account

The Department of Homeland Security provided a statement regarding the operation.

  • DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated ICE was conducting a "targeted operation" to apprehend two convicted sex offenders.
  • McLaughlin stated that Thao resides with these individuals at the operation site.
  • She added that Thao declined to be fingerprinted or facially identified and matched the description of the targets.
  • McLaughlin noted that holding all individuals in a house during an operation is standard protocol for public and law enforcement safety.
  • On Tuesday, DHS officials maintained they are still searching for the alleged criminals and reiterated that Thao lived with the two men.

Disputes and Contradictions

Multiple parties have challenged the DHS account of events and its underlying justification.

  • Thao's Family: The family disputes the DHS account, stating it is false and misleading. They assert that only Thao, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson reside at the home, and none are listed on the Minnesota sex offender registry. The family characterizes the incident as a case of mistaken identity.

  • Minnesota Department of Corrections: Paul Schnell, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, informed CNN that one of the sex offenders sought by DHS was already in state custody and subject to a federal detainer. Schnell stated DHS had been notified of the individual's custody status.

  • Local Officials: St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her criticized the actions of immigration authorities. Mayor Her, who stated a long-standing family connection with Thao, disputed DHS's claim that Thao lived with the targets, characterizing it as a "lie" and stating that agents apprehended the incorrect person.

Related Developments and Responses

  • DHS Request: Following the incident, DHS publicly requested Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to surrender a convicted sex offender, stating federal agents were seeking this individual during the operation. The agency emphasized the need for state and local law enforcement cooperation.

  • Legal Action: ChongLy Thao has stated his intention to file a civil rights lawsuit against the DHS, citing feelings of insecurity in his home following the incident.

  • Prior Contact: Thao's son, Chris Thao, reported being stopped by ICE agents prior to his father's detention.