U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Wilson Tindi, a Kenyan national with a prior sex offense conviction, in Plymouth, Minnesota. More than a decade ago, Tindi pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman after breaking into her Twin Cities home. He served 18 months in ICE custody but was not deported due to a judge blocking his removal.

After his release, Tindi worked for two Minnesota state agencies, including a director-level role auditing taxpayer spending and overseeing accountability. His employment coincided with delays in deporting him, and a later judge ordered his release in 2018. Tindi has claimed lawful permanent residency.

Sam Olson, ICE’s St. Paul field office director, said agents carefully researched Tindi’s case before arresting him. During the arrest, Tindi was handcuffed outside his garage without incident. Olson noted rising resistance in field operations, including a dramatic increase in assaults on officers and interference from bystanders during arrests.

“This has been very unfortunate,” Olson said, adding that officers are prepared to arrest and prosecute anyone obstructing their work.

The arrest comes amid other controversies in Minnesota under Democratic Governor Tim Walz. Last month, the FBI raided multiple locations tied to providers accused of Medicaid fraud in housing services for vulnerable populations. Walz promised enhanced safeguards and cooperation with law enforcement to hold offenders accountable. Additionally, a letter resurfaced from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, which had requested increased security funding for Catholic schools two years before a deadly shooting near Minneapolis.