Wrong‑Target Arrest Sparks County Investigation

A Minnesota county is digging into a federal raid that ended with the wrong man being taken from his home. In January, agents entered a St. Paul house with guns drawn, handcuffed an individual named ChongLy “Scott” Thao, and forced him out into the snow wearing only underwear and sandals. Thao later claimed no warrant was presented. The county’s officials say the agents may have committed kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment. They are requesting details from the Department of Homeland Security to understand what happened. According to county attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher, Thao was held for about an hour while being questioned. He was then sent back to his house without any official notice. The raid had originally targeted two people the federal agency said were “criminal illegal aliens. ” One of those suspects was already in a prison in the Minneapolis area serving a four‑year sentence. The other was never found at the location, indicating a misidentification.

The Department of Homeland Security responded that its agents do not kidnap people. They explained the raid was based on a warrant and intelligence that linked alleged sexual predators to the property. The agency added that a U. S. citizen living there refused to give fingerprints or facial identification. Officials also noted that holding occupants during an operation is standard practice for public safety and officer protection, according to DHS. This incident comes amid broader criticism of federal agents’ actions in Minneapolis and St. Paul, especially after a previous operation that resulted in the deaths of two American citizens. The investigation continues as county officials seek clarity on the raid’s legality and execution.

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