Bloomington sting nets 16 in minor-solicitation arrests
A Bloomington police sting dubbed "Operation Creep" netted 16 arrests on minor-solicitation allegations, with at least four people formally charged so far. Among those arrested on Nov. 13 was 41-year-old Alexander Steven Back of Robbinsdale, a civilian ICE auditor who has been federally indicted for attempted enticement of a minor and faces a Hennepin County charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution after allegedly continuing explicit texts after being told the purported victim was 17, arriving to meet her, surrendering two phones and his ICE ID, and acknowledging the incriminating messages.
📌 Key Facts
- Alexander Steven Back, 41, of Robbinsdale, was arrested on Nov. 13, 2025.
- Back is a civilian, non‑sworn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS) auditor.
- He has been federally indicted on one count of attempted enticement of a minor tied to 'Operation Creep' and also faces a Hennepin County charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution.
- Complaint and indictment excerpts say that after being told the purported age of the 'girl' was 17, Back continued explicit texting and arrived to meet her; officers seized two phones and his ICE ID at the time of arrest.
- In a post‑arrest interview he acknowledged the incriminating text messages, saying, "It's all there in the texts."
- Twin Cities reports Back is one of four people formally charged so far in the sting.
📰 Sources (3)
ICE employee federally indicted in 'Operation Creep' sex sting
New information:
- Alexander Steven Back, a civilian ICE (DHS) auditor, has been federally indicted on one count of attempted enticement of a minor tied to 'Operation Creep.'
- Back also faces a Hennepin County charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution.
- Indictment details say Back continued explicit texting after being told the 'girl' was 17 and arrived to meet her when arrested; officers seized two phones and his ICE ID.
- Back acknowledged the incriminating nature of the text messages in a post-arrest interview, saying, 'It’s all there in the texts.'
Twin Cities ICE employee charged in child sex sting, Bloomington police say
New information:
- Identifies the ICE employee as Alexander Steven Back, 41, of Robbinsdale, arrested Nov. 13.
- Specifies Back is a non-sworn ICE employee and one of four people formally charged so far.
- Details complaint excerpts showing Back acknowledged the purported age of 17 in texts and proceeded to meet.
- Reports Back’s post-Miranda statement acknowledging the incriminating text messages.