ICE Civilian Worker Arrested in Bloomington Underage Sex Sting, Police Say
Bloomington MN —Police confirmed 16 men were arrested this month after taking part in an undercover sex solicitation sting called “Operation Creep,” and one of those arrested was a civilian employee of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The operation ran about three days in early November and was designed to catch adults seeking to solicit what they believed to be a 17-year-old girl for sex.
According to Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, officers posed online as the minor and communicated with suspects. In total, police took 16 men into custody on various solicitation charges.
Among those arrested was a 41-year-old ICE civilian auditor, identified in charging documents as Alexander Steven Back. When officers placed him under arrest, Hodges said Back allegedly exclaimed, “I’m ICE, boys,” though that did not prevent his booking.
Follow The Coffman Chronicle on NewsBreak for daily breaking political coverage.
Back has since been federally charged with attempted enticement of a minor and also faces local charges related to solicitation.
Other individuals arrested included a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency employee and workers from local agencies, officials said.
Officials stressed the sting is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt trafficking and exploitation networks targeting children.
Police said such operations have become more complex with changing technology and tactics used by offenders.
Back has been placed on administrative leave by ICE while the agency conducts its own internal review, a spokesperson told press.
The investigation and related court processes are expected to continue in coming months as authorities pursue formal charges and potential prosecution.
Follow The Coffman Chronicle on NewsBreak for daily breaking political coverage.