An undercover federal agent's recording device fell to the floor of a Minneapolis church gymnasium during a covert operation. The University Baptist Church, which is part of the Alliance of Baptists and the American Baptist Churches USA, has a temporary injunction against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that prohibits immigration enforcement actions at member churches. This injunction includes restrictions on arrest, search, and investigation, with potential sanctions for violations.
The incident was revealed through court filings related to a federal conspiracy case against a group of anti-ICE protesters known as the Minnesota 15. According to a report from Homeland Security Investigations, the undercover agent attended a training session on May 28 hosted by a group called Left Jab, described by the government as a left-wing martial arts organization. The agent participated in sparring and conducted interviews with attendees.
The report indicated that the agent's concealed audio recorder accidentally fell to the floor during the event. The church had posted signs indicating that federal agents were not allowed on the premises due to the court order and provided evidence of this in a legal declaration.
The church's interim pastor, Reverend Cody J. Sanders, commented on the situation in a Facebook post, expressing concern over the surveillance and its implications. He noted that the church leaders were unaware of the surveillance until defense attorneys filed a motion for discovery. Additionally, other filings revealed that federal agents had surveilled the church multiple times, documenting individuals entering and leaving, photographing vehicles, and checking license plates.
This surveillance is part of a broader campaign by federal agencies that has intensified in Minnesota, particularly following a surge of ICE operations in the region. Some of these operations were linked to a directive prioritizing investigations into anti-fascist groups.