UMVA has learned that a massive crackdown on Antifa members has resulted in the indictment of 15 individuals for their alleged roles in conspiring to hinder federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis earlier this year.
The suspects, 12 of whom are currently in custody, are all charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, according to a detailed 94-page criminal complaint. Some of the suspects face additional charges, and federal prosecutors allege that each suspect took part in a conspiracy to obstruct federal immigration enforcement officers through force, intimidation, and threats.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the suspects are alleged members of the Antifa cell Direct Action Minnesota Network (DAMN), a radical far-left group accused of coordinating operations against federal immigration officers. Federal prosecutors maintain that the group used Signal chats to organize and carry out rapid response operations, including coordinating street blockades, tracking federal vehicles, and surveilling the ICE field office.
The government says that DAMN served as the hub for participants to share intelligence, plan actions, recruit volunteers, and assign roles. One of the suspects, Isaac Sant, is portrayed by prosecutors as one of the ringleaders of the conspiracy, who allegedly organized meetings between anti-ICE factions, delivered shields and other equipment for "direct actions" against ICE, and maintained a database of suspected federal immigration vehicles.
Sant also allegedly coordinated "commuters" to follow federal immigration officials and personally followed a federal immigration officer from Minneapolis to Hudson, Wisconsin, leading to an interstate stalking charge. Another suspect, William Morgan, is accused of interstate stalking for allegedly following a federal immigration officer on May 12 from Minneapolis to near the officer's home in Hudson.
Morgan allegedly committed two more crimes by confronting an agent who was conducting an interview and physically assaulting him, and later kicking a federal vehicle, causing $1,000 in property damage. Other suspects, including Natasha Rakotz, face charges for allegedly driving her car into the path of a federal agent, striking and injuring him.
Kyle Wagner, who has been in custody since February, is accused of encouraging followers to take up arms against federal agents. Prosecutors allege that he urged followers to "get your guns" and suggested identifying agents even if it had to be done "at the barrel of a gun." The charges and arrests reflect a broad federal effort to address organized, lawless behavior that seeks to disrupt the execution of federal law and endanger law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Roden emphasized that the defendants have not been arrested for speech, but for alleged criminal actions. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy echoed that sentiment, stating that peaceful protest is a protected right, but there's a clear line that cannot be crossed when protest turns into rioting, violence, or criminal activity.
