ICE Agent Falsely Accused Minneapolis Attorney
A federal public defender is seeking a formal retraction after an agent alleged he aided a client's escape.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Immigration
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On April 29, 2026, an ICE officer authored a memo falsely accusing Minneapolis federal public defender Matthew Deates of assisting a client in evading custody. The document was distributed by federal prosecutors to defense attorneys in a separate high-profile case.
Why it matters
The attorney is demanding a formal correction because the false allegations expose him to potential criminal scrutiny and cause significant harm to his professional standing. The incident has drawn criticism for the improper circulation of inaccurate intelligence by federal agents.
The disputed memo was included in a tranche of evidence shared with attorneys representing the Minnesota 15. The official record remains uncorrected despite the fact that the attorney does not represent any of those 15 defendants.
The players
Matthew Deates
He is a federal public defender who is demanding a formal retraction of the false allegations made against him.
Michael J. O'Neal
He is the ICE officer who authored the memo that incorrectly accused a defense attorney of facilitating a client's escape.
Dan Rosen
He is the U.S. Attorney who stated that the ICE officer's memo does not reflect the position of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Ezequiel De Jesus Portillo Rodriguez
He is a defendant indicted on a count of felony reentry who was the subject of the legal representation provided by Deates.
The details
ICE officer Michael J. O'Neal authored the memo claiming Deates helped client Ezequiel De Jesus Portillo Rodriguez escape after a court appearance on April 28, 2026. While Deates did walk his client to a light rail station that day, U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tory Sailer have confirmed the memo does not reflect their office's position and contains errors regarding the judge.
Timeline
Portillo Rodriguez was deported from the United States in 2017.
ICE arrested Portillo Rodriguez in California in August 2025.
Portillo Rodriguez appeared in court on April 28, 2026.
Officer O'Neal sent the inaccurate memo on April 29, 2026.
The client failed to appear for a hearing on July 30, 2026.
Political Context
The improper distribution of this memo conflicts with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure disclosure requirements intended to protect the integrity of the discovery process. Critics argue this represents a breakdown in oversight between federal immigration enforcement and the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The circulation of inaccurate information in federal court evidence files highlights concerns regarding the reliability of government records used in ongoing litigation. Residents should be aware that these procedural errors can impact the fairness of legal proceedings and influence public trust in local federal law enforcement agencies.
The takeaway
This case illustrates the critical importance of verifying the accuracy of official government communications before they are introduced into judicial records. The controversy emphasizes the need for stricter inter-agency coordination to prevent false claims from damaging the reputations of legal professionals.
Further reading
For more context on how federal agencies interact with the local judicial system, visit the Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MPR News.
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