FBI Personnel Targeted Following Document Theft at Minneapolis Immigration Protest
Federal authorities have disclosed that between 10 and 15 FBI officials have been subjected to threats and intimidation after their personal identification documents were stolen during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. The incident, which occurred on January 14, has sparked a significant security concern for law enforcement personnel and their families.
Vehicle Vandalism Leads to Sensitive Data Breach
During demonstrations against federal immigration officials, who had reportedly shot a Venezuelan immigrant during an arrest attempt, a group of individuals vandalised two government vehicles. The perpetrators made off with weapons and a substantial cache of FBI documents, according to a recent court filing by the federal government.
The stolen materials included FBI identification cards, access badges, and comprehensive documents listing employees' personal information. This sensitive data encompassed phone numbers, email accounts, home addresses, and drivers' licence details, creating immediate vulnerabilities for the affected personnel.
Rapid Escalation to Personal Threats
Shortly after the stolen information appeared online, FBI employees began experiencing what the government describes as "multiple harassing and threatening phone calls and emails." Additionally, there were reports of suspicious vehicles repeatedly driving past their residential properties, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
One particularly disturbing development involved threats directed at a Minnesota law enforcement official and their family. An individual allegedly sent an email containing the message "We'll see how tough you are," accompanied by a threat to "firebomb" a specific address that has since been redacted from public documents.
Family Members Become Targets
The harassment extended beyond the officials themselves to include their family members. In one documented case, someone allegedly contacted an official's child through Facebook with a disturbing message questioning how it felt to have their father's information leaked online. The message continued by expressing embarrassment about the family's connection to the FBI while noting how much personal information had become publicly available.
The targeted official informed superiors that these communications were "extremely upsetting," particularly because their child was attending school out of state at the time. The situation became so concerning that the official told investigators they would "strongly consider relocating that family member out of that area to another state" if the threatening individual was in proximity to their child.
Suspect Identified and Arrested
Federal investigators have identified 28-year-old Jose Alberto Ramirez from Illinois as a primary suspect in making multiple threats against one of the officials. According to court documents, Ramirez allegedly sent ominous text messages including statements such as "Get home safe and fast" and "I know where your mom lives bro. And your dad. And your kids buddy."
Authorities located and arrested Ramirez using phone records associated with a previous workplace harassment complaint. His background reveals a concerning criminal history in Illinois, including several felony and misdemeanor charges for domestic battery, burglary, and mob action. Additionally, court documents indicate he was allegedly terminated from his position at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois, in 2024 after threatening to shoot a coworker.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Context
Ramirez has been ordered to be transferred to Minnesota to formally answer the charges against him. His defense attorney, Joshua Kutnick, told the Minnesota StarTribune that they "argue strenuously for his release" regarding the allegations.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increased tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. Federal officials note that personnel at immigration agencies, including Border Patrol and ICE, have faced a significant spike in threats and assaults following President Trump's ongoing mass deportation campaign. The White House has argued that such threats justify the controversial, widespread use of face masks by agents during immigration operations.
The situation in Minneapolis reflects broader patterns of hostility toward federal agents that have persisted throughout the Trump administration's enforcement actions in the city. As the legal process continues, the affected FBI officials and their families remain in a state of heightened alert, with security concerns fundamentally altering their daily lives and routines.
