MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Four individuals have been indicted on federal charges related to violent encounters with federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis. One of the accused, Claire Louise Feng, a 27-year-old from St. Paul, Minnesota, faces allegations that she bit off the fingertip of a Homeland Security Investigations agent during a protest on January 24, 2023, following the police shooting of Alex Pretti.
According to court documents, Feng was involved in a protest where immigration officers were attempting to make an arrest. During this incident, Feng allegedly tackled the officer, leading to a confrontation where she bit down on the officer's finger through his glove. The injury was severe enough that it resulted in the amputation of the fingertip, exposing the bone. The officer was treated within an hour after realizing the extent of his injury. Feng's attorney, Kevin C. Riach, stated that she plans to contest the charges, arguing about the credibility of ICE agents and expressing confidence in her client's innocence.
In a separate case, three other individuals were indicted for making threats against FBI agents after the personal information of these agents was leaked. This information was stolen when FBI vehicles were vandalized and broken into during protests occurring after the January 14, 2023 shooting. Two vehicles belonging to FBI agents were abandoned in an unsafe area as they fled a volatile situation, leading to the theft of firearms, identification cards, and sensitive documents, which were subsequently posted on social media, exposing the agents to threats.
Brenna Marie Doyle, an 18-year-old from Spokane, Washington, was indicted for making threats to murder an FBI agent and their family members through voice messages. Her attorney, Robert D. Richman, noted that Doyle has not yet entered a plea and is awaiting evidence from the government, emphasizing that there is no allegation she attempted to carry out any threats.
James Patrick Lyons, 45, from California, and Jose Alberto Ramirez, 29, from Illinois, were also indicted for sending threatening text messages to FBI employees. Both men face charges of interstate transmission of threats to injure a person. Attorneys for these defendants have not responded to requests for comments, and neither has been given an opportunity to enter a plea at this stage.
The cases highlight the increasing tension and violence associated with protests concerning law enforcement actions, exacerbated by the leak of sensitive information that endangered the lives of federal agents. The incidents stem from ongoing protests in Minneapolis, illustrating the far-reaching implications of civil unrest and the systemic issues surrounding law enforcement practices.
