A Department of Homeland Security worker brazenly invoked his federal authority when caught in a child sex trafficking sting.
Story Highlights
- ICE auditor Alexander Back, arrested for allegedly soliciting sex from a 17-year-old, declared, “I’m ICE, boys,” during arrest
- Operation Creep netted 16 men, including multiple government employees, in a three-day Minnesota sting
- Suspects brought drugs and firearms to meetings, highlighting dangerous criminal networks
- Police chief calls for stricter laws targeting online platforms enabling predators
Federal Employee Exploits Position During Arrest
Alexander Back, a 41-year-old civilian auditor with the Department of Homeland Security, attempted to leverage his federal position when Bloomington police arrested him during “Operation Creep.”
The three-day sting operation, conducted from November 5-7, 2025, targeted individuals seeking to purchase sex from what they believed was a 17-year-old girl. Police Chief Booker Hodges revealed Back’s arrogant response upon arrest: “When he was arrested, he said, ‘I’m ICE, boys.’ Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up.”
BREAKING: An ICE Agent was BUSTED by Bloomington Police in "Operation Creep" trying to solicit sex from a minor. When arrested, he said "I'm ICE, boys."
That ICE Agent is toast. pic.twitter.com/yWLdWQ0HSf
— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) November 18, 2025
Government Workers Dominate Suspect List
The operation exposed a disturbing pattern of public sector employees engaging in predatory behavior. Among the 16 men arrested, ranging in age from 18 to 49, were a Metro Transit bus driver, a Brown County Historical Society employee, and a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency staff member.
This concentration of government workers among the suspects raises serious questions about background checks and oversight within public agencies. Chief Hodges confirmed most arrests occurred in the Twin Cities area, though not all suspects have received formal charges yet.
Dangerous Criminal Activity Uncovered
Police drone footage revealed the severity of criminal intent among suspects. One individual arrived at a hotel carrying cocaine, methamphetamine, and eight firearms in a bag. Another suspect, who allegedly informed officers of plans to bring a gun, was physically tackled by police upon entering the meeting location.
The presence of weapons and narcotics demonstrates these weren’t merely misguided individuals but potentially violent criminals willing to exploit children.
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and departments from Eden Prairie, Richfield, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Technology Challenges Law Enforcement Efforts
Chief Hodges emphasized how technological advances complicate modern sting operations and urged legislative action against platforms facilitating criminal activity. He called for laws preventing companies from allowing predators to operate on their platforms, highlighting the need for corporate accountability in protecting minors.
Some cases will be referred to federal prosecutors, indicating the severity of charges involved. The chief’s comments underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reform addressing both technological loopholes and institutional oversight failures that enabled these crimes.
