A Homeland Security employee was among 16 men arrested last week for allegedly trying to solicit sex from a minor in Minnesota.
Alexander Steven Back, 41, was arrested in a multi-agency sex trafficking sting dubbed “Operation Creep,” Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said Tuesday during a news conference.
The suspects were under the impression they were communicating with a 17-year-old girl, he said.
Back was listed as an auditor for Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Hodges said during the press conference that the suspect tried to use his job to avoid arrest.
“When he was arrested, he said, ‘I’m ICE, boys,’” Hodges said.
“My understanding is, he helped send people to see federal authorities. I think he’s going to see some federal authorities because I think the feds are going to take this case.”
Hodges described the trafficking operation as “sophisticated,” involving multiple steps to make arrangements.
The arrested men texted with a police “decoy” and were arrested when they arrived at a hotel in Bloomington, about 10 miles south of Minneapolis. Back reportedly arrived in a vehicle registered to his wife and had his phone seized by officers.
Back was arrested on Thursday and released Saturday after posting a $75,000 bond, according to Hennepin County Jail records. He was charged with one count of prostitution. He did not enter a plea during a hearing on Monday and is due back in court on Dec. 17.
Three others who were arrested have been charged, while evidence against the other 12 men is being reviewed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, according to Minnesota Public Radio.
The arrests come roughly a month after NBC News reported that some recent ICE recruits were not properly vetted before hiring and had criminal backgrounds, failed drug tests or were unable to meet physical or academic standards.
