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ICE Employee Among 16 Arrested in Bloomington 'Operation Creep' Sex Sting

Four men face charges, with evidence on 12 others under review by Hennepin County.

Overview

  • Charged so far are Alexander Steven Back, 41, of Robbinsdale, plus Sasenarine Ghamandy, 52, Emmanuel Lopez, 29, and Nicholas Daniel Schaitberger, 36, who also faces a meth possession count.
  • The three‑day operation began Nov. 5, using a fake online ad and texts as an undercover officer posed as a 17‑year‑old to arrange meet‑ups.
  • Bloomington police led the sting with partners from the Minnesota BCA and the Eden Prairie, Richfield, Roseville and MSP Airport police departments.
  • Police said the 16 arrestees range from 18 to 49 years old, and some arrived with drugs or firearms, with at least one person previously arrested in a similar sting.
  • Chief Booker Hodges said the ICE employee could face federal charges, and officials noted a related March operation led to state pleas and at least one federal case carrying a 10‑year mandatory minimum.