Federal authorities arrested Kyle Wagner, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, on Thursday on charges of cyberstalking and transmitting threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, according to prosecutors.
The criminal complaint was filed Tuesday and unsealed Thursday, with a decision on whether to seek a grand jury indictment expected soon. No attorney has yet been listed for Wagner in court records.
Prosecutors allege Wagner used Facebook and Instagram throughout January to incite violence against federal immigration officers during heightened enforcement operations in Minnesota. According to the complaint, he encouraged followers to confront and assault agents, repeatedly referring to them as “gestapo” and “murderers.” In one video, Wagner allegedly declared, “I’ve already bled for this city, I’ve already fought for this city, this is nothing new, we’re ready this time,” before saying he was “coming for” ICE.
Authorities say Wagner also promoted physical attacks in other posts, including the statement: “Anywhere we have an opportunity to get our hands on them, we need to put our hands on them.” Additional posts allegedly urged supporters to identify ICE officers and suggested armed violence, including remarks about acting “at the barrel of a gun.” Wagner’s social media accounts appeared to have been removed by the time of his arrest.
The complaint further accuses Wagner of doxxing a “pro-ICE individual” by publishing a phone number, birth information, and a home address in Michigan. Prosecutors say Wagner later admitted the address belonged to the victim’s parents, which appears to be the only direct connection tying the case to Michigan, where it was filed.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Wagner “doxxed and threatened law enforcement officers” and “encouraged bloodshed in the streets,” while other Justice Department officials emphasized that threats against federal agents would be aggressively prosecuted. Wagner was arrested at his Minneapolis apartment and scheduled to appear in federal court the same day.
The case unfolds amid ongoing protests in Minnesota linked to Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement effort that prompted the deployment of thousands of agents to the state. Federal officials recently announced a partial withdrawal of personnel, while investigations continue into two protester deaths involving federal officer
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