Federal authorities arrested Kyle Wagner, 37, of Minneapolis. He faces charges of threatening communications and cyberstalking. Prosecutors allege he used social media to call for violence against ICE officers. They also say he doxxed a private individual. Authorities stated the posts crossed from protest into criminal threats.
Federal Arrest Follows Online Threats Against ICE Officers
Federal prosecutors say Kyle Wagner used Facebook and Instagram to post messages that promoted violence against federal immigration officers. According to the criminal complaint, his online activity intensified over time, shifting from criticism of ICE operations in Minneapolis to direct threats and calls for physical attacks.
Investigators allege that in early January 2026, Wagner repeatedly urged followers to confront and assault federal officers. In several posts, he reportedly called ICE agents “gestapo” and “murderers” and encouraged resistance to their enforcement work. Prosecutors say the posts were public and aimed at motivating others to act.
Late-night protests rock Minneapolis hotels as activists target ICE stays with music and noise
One key allegation involves a video Wagner allegedly posted on January 8, 2026. In the video, he directly threatened ICE agents and suggested he was ready for violence. The next day, he allegedly wrote that harassment of ICE should continue and that the agency needed to be severely disrupted.
The complaint also claims Wagner encouraged people to attack officers whenever possible. Federal officials say his rhetoric grew more extreme, with posts describing the situation as a war and suggesting ICE agents would die in Minneapolis, including references to using guns.
Officials Cite Calls for Violence and Organized Resistance
Justice Department leaders said the arrest was driven by serious threats to law enforcement safety. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that Wagner allegedly doxxed officers and called for their murder while claiming ties to Antifa. She said federal agents located and arrested him after he went on the run, adding that threats against law enforcement will not be tolerated.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the alleged conduct reflects lawlessness and violence, and warned that federal authorities will aggressively prosecute anyone who threatens officers carrying out their duties. He stressed that there is no protection from accountability for such actions.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. also condemned the alleged behavior, saying Wagner’s statements were meant to incite violence and disrupt the community. He said federal prosecutors acted to prevent further harm.
According to the complaint, Wagner allegedly urged organized resistance against ICE. Prosecutors say he encouraged people to “hunt” agents and called on armed individuals to fight them. On January 24, 2026, he allegedly rejected peaceful protest and urged people to get their guns. Investigators also say he reposted a video showing the distribution of gas masks and shields, suggesting preparation for violent clashes.
Cyberstalking Allegations and Ongoing Federal Investigation
In addition to the threats against ICE officers, Wagner is also accused of cyberstalking a private individual. According to the complaint, on January 29, 2026, Wagner allegedly used Instagram to publish personal information about a pro-ICE individual. This included a phone number, birth month and year, and a home address in Oak Park, Michigan.
Prosecutors say the post was accompanied by threatening language. Wagner later allegedly admitted that the address he shared belonged to the victim’s parents. Federal authorities describe this act as doxxing, a practice where personal information is shared online to intimidate or harass someone.
The charges against Wagner are based on a criminal complaint, which is not evidence of guilt. Under U.S. law, a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Because a felony trial cannot proceed solely on a complaint, prosecutors said a decision on whether to seek a grand jury indictment will be made in the near future.
US edges toward government shutdown as deadly Minneapolis shootings ignite DHS funding fight
The investigation was carried out by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. According to officials, the case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Justice Department initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and addressing violent crime.
Meanwhile, federal authorities stressed that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to protect law enforcement officers and the public from threats made online. As a result, the case now moves forward through the federal court system, where the allegations will be reviewed and tested under the law.
To read original order visit this link.
