Protester Released After Confrontation During Federal Investigation in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Isabel Lopez, a 27-year-old from St. Paul, was released from a detention facility after facing charges related to a confrontation with federal agents during a federal investigation last week. The operation on Lake Street sparked protests, initially mistaken for an ICE raid.

Lopez was ordered to surrender her passport and undergo a mental health evaluation pending her trial. She is accused of several offenses, including obstructing a federal investigation, assaulting officers, and physically resisting arrest. Prosecutors allege that during her arrest, she punched an FBI agent in the head.

As part of her conditional release, Lopez must abide by several terms, including not breaking any federal or state laws, remaining in Minnesota unless given prior approval, and submitting to drug testing if ordered by the court.

The investigation that led to Lopez’s charges took place on June 3, when a federal task force executed multiple search warrants at various locations. This included operations at Cuatro Milpas, a Mexican restaurant at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue. Agents from Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, and ICE were involved.

Rumors circulating on social media led to a large crowd of protesters gathering, mistakenly believing there was an immigration enforcement action taking place. Law enforcement had to leave the scene before completing their investigations.

Just prior to the incident, authorities had already seized 900 pounds of crystal meth, hidden in spools inside a storage shed in Burnsville. This drug seizure has an estimated street value of between $22 million and $25 million.

A crowd of over 100 supporters rallied outside the federal courthouse in St. Paul, advocating for Lopez’s release. Her next court date is scheduled for August 14.