cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/49595315

A Minnesota county sued the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday, demanding evidence relating to an arrest by federal immigration agents that the county is investigating as a potential kidnapping.

According to Ramsey County — the second-most populous county in Minnesota, home to St. Paul —  a group of unnamed, masked and armed individuals appearing to be federal agents likely illegally detained 56-year-old U.S. citizen and Hmong immigrant ChongLy “Scott” Thao on Jan. 18.

Prosecutors say federal immigration agents forced their way into Thao’s St. Paul home, then handcuffed him and took him outside dressed only in shorts and Crocs in subfreezing temperatures.

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Officials in the Ramsey County’s sheriff’s and county attorney’s offices opened a criminal investigation following the incident — though both offices say they’ve been met with roadblocks for months from Homeland Security when it comes to obtaining information.

Over three months have passed without any explanation or legal justification from federal agencies as to why the requested materials are being withheld, according to information outlined in the complaint.

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County officials say they exhausted every administrative remedy to obtain the information in Thao’s arrest, and were left with no choice but to take legal action after numerous communication delays from government agencies.

Possible offenses for the federal agents involved in Thao’s investigation include burglary, false imprisonment and kidnapping, but those charges cannot be pursued without proper evidence and facts, according to the county.

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Choi said in April there is no indication the agents had a warrant for entry or arrest.

The county’s suit comes on the heels of federal prosecutors’ decision to turn over key evidence long sought by the Minnesota and Hennepin County Attorneys’ Offices in their probe into the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January.