ICE Employee Arrested in Child Sex Trafficking Sting Operation: Twin Cities Case
A Twin Cities-based ICE employee, Alexander Steven Back, was arrested in a child sex trafficking sting operation conducted by the Bloomington Police Department. Back, a 41-year-old resident of Robbinsdale, was apprehended on November 13 after attempting to meet with an individual he believed to be a 17-year-old girl, who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. He is a non-sworn HSI auditor and is one of four individuals charged in the operation.
During the sting operation, officers posed as a minor and engaged in text conversations with Back. In one exchange, Back reassured the supposed minor that he would not be upset about her age. In another instance, when asked if he would be upset about the minor being 17, Back inquired if she was with the police but ultimately agreed to meet up.
Following his arrest, Back admitted in a post-Miranda statement that he was aware of the minor's age but did not leave the situation. He acknowledged that the incriminating evidence was present in the text messages exchanged during the operation.
The sting operation, known as "Operation Creep," mirrors a previous operation conducted by Bloomington police in March, which resulted in the arrest of former Sen. Justin Eichorn for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution. Eichorn has pleaded not guilty to federal charges and his defense attorney contends that he is facing unfair prosecution due to his former status as a state senator.
In conclusion, the arrest of Alexander Steven Back in the child sex trafficking sting operation highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat such criminal activities and protect minors from exploitation. The successful operations conducted by the Bloomington Police Department serve as a deterrent to individuals engaging in illegal activities involving minors.