Dodge County Sheriff Speaks Candidly About Why ICE Search for Murder and Child Rape Suspect Was Halted
The Dodge County Sheriff says federal immigration agents searching for a violent fugitive in the Rochester area ended their efforts early after being repeatedly confronted by an agitator.
In a public statement, Sheriff Scott Rose said an SUV carrying ICE agents from several states stopped at the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office last week while working as part of the federal Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Rose said the agents told him they had been followed for hours by a person questioning their actions and motives.
SEE ALSO: MN Correctional Officer Arrested on Immigration Fraud Allegations
According to Rose, agents attempted to explain who they were searching for, but the individual continued accusing them of targeting legal immigrants, at one point saying, “if you were here to look for illegal violent immigrants that would be fine…that’s not what you are doing.”
Agents Were Searching for Murder, Child Rape Suspect in the Rochester Area
Rose said the agents were attempting to locate a man wanted for premeditated first-degree murder and the rape of a child who has been on the run since the early 1990s.
"The country the man is from has only recently been working with our federal government to take back some of these violent criminals who’ve been evading arrest by hiding here in the United States," Rose added.
The sheriff said the agitator later contacted his office requesting records connected to what they described as an “incident” with ICE. Rose said he explained that there was no report and no public information to release.
During that conversation, Rose said the caller questioned why ICE agents were involved instead of local officers, referring to them as “untrained” ICE agents and asking why “real” cops were not handling the case.
Rose said the caller also argued “the man they were looking for has not been in trouble since 1993.”
Rose responded in his statement:
“THE MAN MURDERED SOMEONE AND RAPED A CHILD! Who cares when it happened? IT HAPPENED!”
He added that victims and families may still be waiting decades for justice and closure.
Rochester ICE Investigation Ended Over Safety Concerns
Rose said the agents ultimately decided to stop searching and return to the Twin Cities because the confrontation was interfering with their work and raised safety concerns.
“You can’t rationalize with irrational people,” Rose wrote.
READ MORE: Trump Official: Minnesota Welfare Fraud ‘Greatest’ in U.S. History
ICE Agents Asked Permission to Use Restroom
Rose said the agents initially contacted his office for an unexpected reason: asking permission to use the restroom.
He said agents told him they had been turned away from multiple businesses and government buildings during the operation.
“We live in sad times when federal agents feel they have to call local law enforcement for permission to use their bathroom,” Rose said.
Dodge County Sheriff Addresses Divided Opinions on ICE
Rose acknowledged strong public disagreement surrounding immigration enforcement and said he has family members on both sides of the issue.
He also wrote, “Many mistakes were made during Metro Surge,” adding that Minnesota law enforcement groups raised concerns about some federal tactics during meetings with officials.
At the same time, Rose said arrests of dangerous offenders have received less attention.
Message on ICE Protest and Public Safety
While emphasizing the public’s right to protest, Rose warned against interfering with law enforcement operations.
He concluded his statement by writing:
“One bad ICE Agent doesn't make them all bad, there are always consequences to your actions, and there are always two sides to a story.”
You can read Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose’s full statement posted to Facebook here.
UPDATE: Videos shared online and identified by other media outlets and the person involved appear to show the ICE encounter referenced in Sheriff Scott Rose’s statement. The footage is being added for context. (profanity warning)
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