Federal prosecutors charged a Twin Cities-based Immigration and Customs Enforcement civilian employee who was arrested in an underage sex sting operation by Bloomington police, according to court records unsealed Friday.
Alexander Steven Back, 41, made his first appearance in U.S. District Court in St. Paul on Friday to answer to a charge of inticement of a minor.
Back’s federal charge alleges that he responded to a fake online advertisement commonly used to promote commercial sex on Nov. 13. An undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl messaged “U ok if I’m a lil younger than my ad says … just wanna be honest.”
“Sure,” Back replied, according to the indictment.
The officer twice told Back during the text exchange that they were 17 years old, and eventually sent an address in Bloomington for them to meet. When Back arrived, agents arrested him. A search of his vehicle turned up a phone and his ICE identification.
“I’m ICE, boys,” Back said as he was taken into custody, the indictment said.
ICE placed Back on administrative leave from his civilian auditor position following his arrest. The sting operation by Bloomington police resulted in 16 total arrests of men who allegedly tried to solicit minors for sex. Fourteen are from Minnesota, one is from Maryland and another is from Pennsylvania.
A similar sting in March led to the arrest of former Minnesota state Rep. Justin Eichorn. Eichorn promptly resigned from his seat following the allegations. The Grand Rapids Republican, who’s pleaded not guilty to his charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, has argued that the U.S. Attorney’s Office selectively prosecuted him because of his status as a lawmaker. Prosecutors have refuted the claim.
