In an unusual plea for the public's help Tuesday, the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office released web photos of a boy the agency wants to identify and who is believed to live or have lived in Minnesota or possibly western Wisconsin.
According to ICE's Homeland Security Investigations, the boy in the photo "may need law enforcement assistance, but may not be able to request it."
ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer said that locating the boy could help law enforcement "remove a couple of young people from a dangerous environment."
Homeland Security Investigations is charged with monitoring illegal activity on the internet.
"We've exhausted all of our internal law enforcement efforts. ... This is kind of an unusual thing to do," Neudauer said.
The photos are still shots from a web video, Neudauer explained. In the photo, the individual was pictured wearing what looks like a Twins T-shirt.
Neudauer declined to give any additional details about the investigation.
Anybody who thinks they may know the person in the photos is encouraged to call the ICE tip line at 866-347-2423 or a duty agent at 952-853-2690. The public can also email tips to SPMduty@ice.dhs.gov or complete the online HSI TIP form at www.ice.gov/tips.
