Federal agents broke down the door of a St. Paul home on Sunday, leading away ChongLy Scott Thao wearing only shorts, Crocs, and a baby’s blanket during sub-zero temperatures.
Thao, a U.S. citizen, was detained by ICE agents who believed he matched the description of two convicted sex offenders they were seeking.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has since stated that Thao lived with the offenders, which his family disputes, saying they’ve lived in the home for two years, and they suspect ICE was looking for a previous resident.
Thao’s family and local officials, including Mayor Kaohly Her, have criticized the actions of the federal agents. Mayor Her expressed her anger over the incident, stating that the sex offenders ICE mentioned do not reside with Thao’s family.