A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement worker was among 16 men arrested in a Minnesota trafficking investigation that targeted individuals seemingly attempting to solicit a minor for sex, police said.

Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said at a news conference on Tuesday that the three-day "Operation Creep" began on November 5 and focused on identifying people seeking to purchase sex from a 17-year-old girl.

"When he was arrested, he said, 'I'm ICE, boys,'" Hodges said. "Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up."

Alexander Back, 41, of Robbinsdale, is a civilian auditor with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has been charged in the sting, Fox 9 reported. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

An ICE spokesperson told Newsweek via email on Wednesday that Back "was hired under the Biden administration in 2022," and that he was "immediately" placed on administrative leave. "ICE is working with local authorities as well as conducting its own investigation," the spokesperson said.

Why It Matters

The arrest comes at a time when federal immigration authorities are facing increased scrutiny, and cases involving alleged misconduct by agency personnel draw significant public attention. The apparent involvement of an alleged ICE official in a sting targeting the solicitation of a minor adds pressure on the agency to tighten oversight and accountability guardrails.

What To Know

Hodges said most of the men arrested came from the Twin Cities area, and added that not all of the suspects have been formally charged.

Additional suspects include a Metro Transit bus driver, an employee of the Brown County Historical Society, and a staff member of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Hodges said.

The 16 men arrested range in age from 18 to 49, Hodges said.

Hodges said that he knew "ICE took custody of a few of them but we don't have a way to verify someone's status here at the Bloomington Police Department."

Police also released drone footage showing one suspect arriving at a hotel with a bag allegedly containing cocaine, methamphetamine, and eight firearms. Another suspect, who allegedly told officers he planned to arrive with a gun, was tackled by police as he entered the meeting location.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and police departments from Eden Prairie, Richfield, and the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport assisted in the investigation

Hodges noted that advances in technology have made sting operations more difficult and urged lawmakers to consider measures restricting online platforms used by offenders.

What People Are Saying

ICE spokesperson to Newsweek: “Alexander Back was hired under the Biden administration in 2022 and worked as an I-9 auditor. Back was not and has never been a law enforcement officer. Following his arrest, ICE immediately placed Alexander Back on administrative leave. ICE is working with local authorities as well as conducting its own investigation via the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility.”

Hodges said at a press conference: "We need to make sure that we pass some laws that make it so these companies can't continue to have these people on their platforms."

What Happens Next

Some of the cases resulting from the sting are expected to be referred to federal prosecutors, Hodges said.

Update, 11/19/25 at 3:58 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from ICE.