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ICE Employee Among 16 Arrested in Bloomington Underage Sex Solicitation Sting

ICE put the worker on leave, with more cases under review for possible state or federal prosecution.

Overview

  • Bloomington police ran a three-day undercover operation starting Nov. 5, using a 17-year-old decoy and arresting 16 men who arrived to meet her.
  • Alexander Steven Back, 41, an ICE I‑9 auditor, was charged with a prostitution‑related felony, allegedly told officers "I'm ICE, boys," posted a $75,000 bond, and is due in court Dec. 17.
  • Three others have been charged: Sasenarine Ghamandy, Emmanuel Lopez, and Nicholas Daniel Schaitberger, who also faces a meth possession count.
  • Evidence on the remaining 12 arrestees has been submitted to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for charging decisions, and police say some cases may be sent to federal prosecutors.
  • ICE says Back is a civilian employee placed on administrative leave as its Office of Professional Responsibility investigates; police noted some suspects brought drugs and firearms, and multiple agencies including the BCA and MSP Airport Police assisted.