Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have unsealed an indictment charging 15 individuals alleged to be members and associates of Direct Action Minnesota, a Minneapolis-based organization authorities say is connected to Antifa-affiliated networks, as reported by Trending Politics News.

The charges stem from activities surrounding Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative that brought thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities area earlier this year.

The announcement was made Tuesday by U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen during a press conference outlining the allegations.

“Today, a federal indictment was unsealed charging 15 defendants with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers and other charges related to efforts of two Minneapolis-based Antifa groups that violently opposed the enforcement of federal law in our state,” Rosen said.

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According to prosecutors, the defendants are connected to Direct Action Minnesota, commonly referred to as DAMN.

The indictment alleges that members and associates participated in a coordinated effort to obstruct federal law enforcement operations during the immigration enforcement surge.

“The defendants are members and associates of Direct Action Minnesota. They are charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, interstate threats, interstate stalking, assault on a federal officer, and destruction of government property,” Rosen added.

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Federal authorities allege that DAMN worked alongside affiliated organizations, including the Black Cat Worker’s Collective and the Ray Rainbolt Memorial Shooting Club.

Prosecutors claim members received training in surveillance techniques, operational planning, rapid mobilization efforts, and the use of shields during confrontations with law enforcement.

According to the indictment, much of the planning allegedly took place through encrypted Signal Messenger group chats. Prosecutors said participants were organized into specialized subgroups assigned specific operational roles.

The charging documents describe two primary methods allegedly used to disrupt federal operations: “hard” blockades and “soft” blockades.

Authorities said hard blockades involved the placement of vehicles, trailers, debris, and Czech hedgehogs, metal obstacles designed to block roads, near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building.

Prosecutors allege these actions disrupted operations and led to multiple shutdowns at the facility between late January and mid-March.

Soft blockades allegedly involved participants using homemade shields constructed from plastic, wood, and metal materials to resist law enforcement officers.

The indictment also details what prosecutors described as “commuting” tactics, in which federal agents were allegedly followed from the Whipple Building to other locations.

One example cited involved Isaac Sant, who prosecutors allege followed a federal officer to Hudson, Wisconsin, on May 4. Another allegation claims Natasha Rakotz brake-checked and side-swiped a federal officer’s vehicle on May 18, resulting in a collision.

Prosecutors also allege that on May 15, William Morgan knocked notes from a federal agent’s hand and kicked a government vehicle, causing dents. The indictment states that Isaac Sant was present during that incident.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the case reflects the Department of Justice’s focus on organized attacks against law enforcement.

“As alleged, these defendants, which included members of Antifa groups, engaged in an unrelenting campaign of harassment and violence targeting federal and local law enforcement. Their actions created a dangerous environment that threatened not only their intended targets, but the community as a whole,” Blanche said.

“These arrests demonstrate the Department’s commitment to law and order and stopping organized political violence in Minneapolis and beyond,” he added.

Following the announcement of the charges and arrests, demonstrations took place outside federal facilities in St. Paul and at related locations in Minneapolis.

According to reports from the scene, protesters gathered outside the federal building in St. Paul and other locations connected to the case.

Footage reportedly showed damage to property and attempts to interfere with federal agents. Authorities responded by deploying less-than-lethal crowd-control munitions.

The federal case now moves forward as prosecutors seek to prove allegations involving conspiracy, threats, assault and property destruction connected to the immigration enforcement operation.

St. Paul, Minn. (June 16) — Violent Antifa supporters surrounded the federal courthouse and tried to storm it during the first hearing for the Antifa cell members who were indicted for alleged criminal anti-government conspiracies and violent attacks in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/yTKqFXa5sx

— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 16, 2026

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