Ramsey County investigates federal agents over January detention of U.S. citizen in St. Paul

First covered Monday, April 13, 2026Rights & JusticeWell-covered

The Facts

Ramsey County officials announced an investigation into whether federal agents committed crimes including kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment in connection with ChongLy "Scott" Thao's detention.
The detention of ChongLy "Scott" Thao occurred on Jan. 18 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Thao is a U.S. citizen.
Video showed federal or ICE agents breaking down or bashing open the front door of Thao's St. Paul home during the incident.
Officials and reports said Thao was taken from his home in freezing conditions while wearing only underwear or similarly minimal clothing, along with slip-on shoes or sandals and, in some accounts, a blanket.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher said they are seeking information from the Department of Homeland Security for the investigation.

Context

Who is ChongLy "Scott" Thao?

Thao is a 56-year-old Hmong American man living in St. Paul who is a U.S. citizen Independent,CBC News,Telemundo.

What possible crimes are investigators examining?

Ramsey County officials said they are examining whether the agents' actions could amount to kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment NYT,USA Today,Reuters.

What are local officials doing next?

County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher said they are seeking records and other information from the Department of Homeland Security to identify the agents involved and assess the case NYT,USA Today,CBC News.

The receipts — 72 sources

Wire services (23)

ReutersDemocratic UndergroundMinnesota county probes federal arrest as possible kidnappin...

ReutersThe Star Minnesota county probes federal arrest as possible kidnappin...

APYahooMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

ReutersReutersMinnesota county probes federal arrest as possible kidnappin...

Reuters1470 & 100.3 WMBDMinnesota county probes federal arrest as possible kidnappin...

APDemocratic UndergroundMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

APDRGNewsMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

APThe GazetteMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

APwww.weny.comMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

APThe Herald JournalMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

APhttps://www.telemundoatlanta.comDetención realizada por ICE es investigada como posible secu...

APThe ColumbianMinnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

APSudbury.comMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

APCHAT News TodayMinnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

APHouston ChronicleMinnesota investiga posible secuestro y detención ilegal com...

APBrandon SunMinnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

AP2 News NevadaMinnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

ReutersU.S. News & World ReportMinnesota County Probes Federal Arrest as Possible Kidnappin...

APOwensboro Messenger-InquirerMinnesota county is investigating potential kidnapping and f...

APThe TribuneMinnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

APmykxlg.comMinnesota county is investigating potential kidnapping and f...

APU.S. News & World ReportMinnesota County Is Investigating Potential Kidnapping and F...

APFOX 9 Minneapolis-St. PaulRamsey County officials to announce investigation into feder...

Independent coverage (49)

West Hawaii TodayICE arrest of man in his underwear on frigid day prompts inv...

MinnPostRamsey County investigates ICE arrest of US citizen as kidna...

The Daily BeastICE Probed Over 'Kidnap' of U.S. Citizen Detained Semi-Naked...

ArkansasOnlineMan's arrest by ICE probed | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

LaVanguardiaEl ICE detiene a la salida del hospital al ciudadano al que ...

DNyuzICE Arrest of Man in His Underwear on Frigid Day Prompts Inv...

South China Morning PostMinnesota investigates ICE arrest of Hmong American man as p...

Democratic UndergroundMinnesota county investigates federal agents' removal of US ...

ABC7Detención realizada por ICE en Minnesota investigada como po...

ABC 22 - WJCL SavannahMinnesota county probing viral ICE arrest of U.S. citizen

TelemundoMinnesota investiga la detención de un ciudadano estadounide...

Noticias YaAgentes de ICE sacaron a un ciudadano estadounidense de su c...

NewserCounty Probes Arrest of Man ICE Marched Out in Underwear

CNN EspañolAgentes de ICE sacaron a un ciudadano estadounidense de su c...

WTOPAgentes de ICE sacaron a un ciudadano estadounidense de su c...

NewsChannel 3-12Agentes de ICE sacaron a un ciudadano estadounidense de su c...

europa pressAbren una investigación por secuestro tras el arresto de un....

NoticiasDe.esSe está llevando a cabo una investigación por secuestro desp...

NBC ChicagoMinnesota authorities investigate arrest by ICE of a Hmong A...

La Opinión DigitalInvestigan posibles abusos de agentes del ICE en arresto de...

Straight Arrow NewsMinnesota prosecutor probing DHS agents' arrest of Hmong-US ...

Madison365Minnesota county investigates federal agents' removal of US ...

Raw StoryTrump's immigration agents under investigation for kidnappin...

INFORUMRamsey County investigating federal agents for possible kidn...

CBC NewsMinnesota authorities probe ICE arrest of St. Paul man as po...

The Straits TimesMinnesota county probes federal arrest as possible kidnappin...

El Comercio PerúMinnesota: investigan arresto del ICE de estadounidense como...

ThePrintMinnesota county probes federal arrest as possible kidnappin...

AOL.comMinnesota officials investigating ICE arrest of man in his u...

ABC57Minnesota county investigates federal agents' removal of US ...

The IndependentMinnesota officials investigating ICE arrest of man in his u...

DevdiscourseRamsey County Probes Controversial Fed Arrest in St. Paul | ...

JezebelMinnesota Prosecutors Are Investigating ICE Agents Who Detai...

Star TribuneRamsey County investigating federal agents for possible kidn...

The New RepublicMinnesota Investigates ICE Over Possible Kidnapping of Ameri...

USA TodayA US citizen was detained in his underwear. ICE is being inv...

NewsweekWho is ChongLy "Scott" Thao? ICE raid on US citizen investig...

Local3News.comMinnesota county investigates federal agents' removal of US ...

Bring Me The NewsRamsey County investigating ICE arrest of Hmong American man...

CBS NewsRamsey County officials investigate ICE arrest of underdress...

The New York TimesProsecutors Investigate ICE Agents Who Detained ChongLy Scot...

WGAL 8 Lancaster/HarrisburgMinnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

Lethbridge News NowMinnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

Pulse24.com Minnesota investigates the arrest by ICE of a Hmong American...

Cadena 3 ArgentinaMinnesota abre investigación por posible secuestro a manos d...

Bring Me The NewsWATCH LIVE: Ramsey County announces investigation into alleg...

Star TribuneRamsey County is investigating potential kidnapping and fals...

Court House News ServiceMinnesota county announces kidnapping investigation into ICE...

ArcaMaxCounty investigating federal agents for possible kidnapping ...

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Ramsey County investigates federal agents over January detention of U.S. citizen in St. Paul

First covered Monday, April 13, 2026Rights & JusticeWell-covered

The Facts

Ramsey County officials announced an investigation into whether federal agents committed crimes including kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment in connection with ChongLy "Scott" Thao's detention.
The detention of ChongLy "Scott" Thao occurred on Jan. 18 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Thao is a U.S. citizen.
Video showed federal or ICE agents breaking down or bashing open the front door of Thao's St. Paul home during the incident.
Officials and reports said Thao was taken from his home in freezing conditions while wearing only underwear or similarly minimal clothing, along with slip-on shoes or sandals and, in some accounts, a blanket.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher said they are seeking information from the Department of Homeland Security for the investigation.