Ramsey County is hauling the U.S. Department of Homeland Security into court, accusing federal officials of stonewalling a local criminal investigation into a high-profile January arrest in St. Paul. County leaders say federal agents yanked 56-year-old ChongLy Scott Thao from his home during Operation Metro Surge and left him outside in below-zero wind chill, handcuffed and wearing only shorts, Crocs and a baby blanket.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, asks a judge to strike down what county officials describe as an unlawful federal policy of refusing to cooperate with local probes and to force DHS to hand over records they say are needed to determine whether state crimes were committed.
County Sues To Force DHS To Produce Evidence
As reported by FOX 9, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher announced the suit Wednesday, saying DHS has repeatedly brushed off formal requests for evidence. The complaint asks the court to order DHS to turn over federal incident reports, the names of the officers on the scene, witness interviews and any body-worn or surveillance video tied to the arrest.
The Jan. 18 Arrest And Viral Photos
According to county officials, the case traces back to a Jan. 18, 2026 operation in which federal agents broke down the door of Thao's St. Paul home and led him outside in only shorts, Crocs and a baby blanket while handcuffed. Family photos and video of the scene spread quickly online and in local media.
In April, Ramsey County opened a criminal investigation into whether the agents committed kidnapping, burglary or false imprisonment. Investigators say Thao told them he was driven to what he described as the "middle of nowhere" and questioned for about an hour before agents brought him back home, according to the Star Tribune.
DHS's Account And Conflicting Records
DHS has said the operation was aimed at two convicted sex offenders with ties to the property. But local reporting and court records indicate that at least one of those targets had already been in state prison since September 2024. County officials point to that gap as a key reason they say they need federal records to sort out what actually happened.
In statements to local outlets, DHS has maintained that agents were executing a warrant. County leaders, however, say they have been denied access to basic reports and the identities of the officers involved, according to reporting by Sahan Journal.
Legal Questions And The Touhy Demand
Before filing the suit, Ramsey County submitted a formal Touhy demand to DHS in March that requested incident reports, officer rosters, video recordings and relevant policies. The demand, which is publicly available in a county PDF, gave DHS until April 30 to respond.
The county says it is investigating potential state-law offenses including kidnapping, false imprisonment and burglary. Officials note in court filings that they may impanel a grand jury or seek additional court orders to compel evidence if federal authorities continue to hold the records back.
Broader Context
The Thao incident is unfolding against a larger backdrop of legal fights and public scrutiny surrounding Operation Metro Surge, the federal enforcement blitz that brought thousands of agents into the Twin Cities. Minnesota officials and several cities have filed legal challenges over access to evidence and what they describe in court documents as aggressive tactics paired with categorical noncooperation from federal agencies.
Ramsey County positions this lawsuit as part of that broader push, arguing in legal filings that confronting DHS over transparency is necessary to complete its local criminal probe.
What Comes Next
County leaders say they are prepared for a long fight in court and will keep pressing for the records they requested. "I want to make it very clear that we are not going to let this go," County Attorney John Choi said, according to Sahan Journal.
The lawsuit asks a judge to order DHS to identify the agents involved and to turn over the disputed records, marking a new phase in the escalating clash between Ramsey County prosecutors and federal immigration authorities over transparency and accountability in the wake of the St. Paul arrest.
