A high-profile prosecution of 15 Minnesota residents, dubbed the **"Minnesota 15,"** has brought to light an extensive surveillance campaign by the **Department of Homeland Security (DHS)**. Defense attorneys claim this operation, which includes intercepted **Signal** chats, drone footage, and undercover infiltration, mirrors the controversial **FBI COINTELPRO** of the mid-20th century. Experts suggest the scale of this alleged government counterinsurgency against dissent is unprecedented in the U.S. since the 1960s and 1970s, raising serious constitutional concerns. ### The Scope of the Surveillance Discovery in the Minnesota 15 cases has revealed a trove of documents: reports, audio transcripts, emails, intercepted **Signal** communications, photographs, and database queries. These records detail the inner workings of domestic terrorism investigations, specifically **Project Whipple Shield** and **Operation Puppet Master**. These operations were reportedly authorized by **National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM 7)**, issued following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. **NSPM 7** broadly instructs federal law enforcement to utilize all available tools against organizations and individuals critical of the administration's policies or espousing "anti-Christian" ideas, though its full scope remains undisclosed. Defense attorneys contend that the prosecution of the Minnesota 15 is a direct result of a broader, nationwide surveillance effort aimed at opponents of the administration’s immigration policies. ### Repurposing Investigative Tools Former law enforcement officials who reviewed case filings concur that the Minnesota 15 case is likely part of a wider intelligence-gathering operation. Dueling motions over the discovery of the **DHS** surveillance program indicate that personnel from **Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)**, a component of **ICE**, repurposed funding mechanisms and investigative tools typically reserved for serious criminal probes, directing them instead at domestic dissenters. **Operation Keyhole**, an **HSI** undercover program dating back to 2008, allegedly bankrolled the Minnesota 15 prosecution. As of June 2026, it was reportedly underwriting a half-dozen active undercover investigations in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. Approximately 120 **HSI** agents, many from specialized units involved in militarized immigration enforcement, were assigned to the case. This included 11 undercover operatives who employed highly invasive surveillance techniques, such as **Reaper** drones and **Patriot Act** tools typically restricted to money laundering and terrorism investigations. Undercover agents also reportedly infiltrated churches, potentially violating court orders. ### "Go Big and Go Loud" The Minnesota 15 indictment stems from the administration’s directive to the **Justice Department** to "go big and go loud" in cracking down on community response networks during last winter’s **Operation Metro Surge**. Twin Cities activists had organized volunteers to monitor **DHS** agents and vehicles using encrypted **Signal** groups, homemade vehicle databases, and a centralized dispatch system. Prosecutors allege this constituted a criminal conspiracy to obstruct immigration enforcement, unlawfully identify and stalk federal agents, and even assault them. However, defense attorneys argue that the severe charges do not align with the alleged conduct. Kevin Riach, representing defendant **Isaac Sant**, noted, "This is the first time I’ve had a client who’s accused of a conspiracy and went on a speaking tour." ### Peeking Through the Keyhole An internal **ICE** document regarding **Operation Puppet Master**, which led to the indictment of the Minneapolis 15, states, "This case has also been accepted under **CUC Op Keyhole**." Prosecutors describe **Operation Keyhole** as a long-standing **HSI** program from its Saint Paul office, funding "undercover activity" – primarily equipment and personnel costs – across Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Since its inception in December 2008, **Operation Keyhole** has funded at least 77 investigations into "narcotics trafficking, child sexual abuse, financial investigations, and counter-proliferation." The "**CUC**" prefix refers to **Certified Undercover Operations**, a formal designation with defined oversight, procedures, and reporting requirements. **Operation Keyhole's** parameters are reviewed biannually by senior **DOJ** and **DHS** officials. As of June 2026, it funded six active investigations, including **Project Whipple Shield**, which was initiated in February to investigate claims of assault, stalking, and doxing of **DHS** agents and underpins the Minnesota 15 indictment. At least 11 undercover agents operating under **Operation Keyhole** infiltrated Twin Cities anti-**ICE** activist groups. They participated in martial arts and "know-your-rights" trainings, marches, general strikes, and community meetings. They also infiltrated activist communication networks used for identifying potential undercover **ICE** vehicles and dispatching activists to follow them. Furthermore, they penetrated several activist group chats on **Signal**, transmitting their contents to **HSI** colleagues for analysis and eventual inclusion in the indictment. Surveillance extended to activist conferences in distant cities like Seattle, Michigan, Chicago, and New York City. **HSI** teams reportedly photographed and ran license plates of vehicles at meeting locations or those transporting activists. Drone footage from unarmed **Customs and Border Protection (CBP)** **Reaper** drones also captured activists moving around the Twin Cities. This group of undercover agents was part of a larger force of over 50 **HSI** agents, including at least two dozen from **HSI**’s little-known **Special Operations Group (SOG)**. These agents, with decades of experience in complex financial crimes, drug cartel investigations, human trafficking, and organized crime, were reportedly redirected to the Minnesota 15 investigation. Several agents involved in the Minnesota 15 case are from out of state and have appeared in court records for similar prosecutions in other cities. This includes Los Angeles-based **HSI** agents **Robert Kurtz III**, a financial fraud specialist, and **Ryan Ribner**. Ribner was allegedly involved in an incident where **SEIU California** president **David Huerta** was assaulted and arrested during a protest against an **ICE** enforcement operation. Huerta's charges were later dropped after videos contradicted Ribner's account. **HSI** records also link Ribner to at least two prosecutions of Southern California residents who confronted **ICE** and **Border Patrol** agents. Other agents connected to the conspiracy investigation have been involved in recent high-profile incidents. **Tim Gerber**, a team leader for an **HSI SOG** squad, led the investigation into former **CNN** host **Don Lemon** for reporting on a protest at a Minneapolis church where an **ICE** agent served as a pastor. Fellow **SOG** agent **Yue Her** was present during a 2025 incident involving **Renee Good's** killer, **ICE Special Response Team** agent **Johnathan Ross**.