A violent felon with a history of attacking a pregnant woman and a repeat property offender were among dozens of anti-ICE agitators arrested after a protest outside a Minneapolis-area hotel devolved into chaos late Monday night, as reported by The New York Post.
At least 26 protesters were taken into custody outside the SpringHill Suites in Maple Grove, Minnesota, after demonstrators began damaging property and throwing objects at law enforcement officers, according to police.
The arrests followed a gathering aimed at disrupting federal immigration agents, believed by protesters to be staying at the hotel.
Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.
Among those arrested was 37-year-old Justin Neal Shelton of St. Paul, who was booked on charges of obstructing legal process. Court records show Shelton has an extensive criminal history dating back nearly two decades.
Shelton’s prior convictions include a 2007 guilty plea stemming from a brutal attack on a pregnant woman during an attempted carjacking.
According to Fox News, Shelton and another individual knocked the woman to the ground, kicked her, and struck her with a bottle while trying to steal her vehicle.
He was later sentenced to five years in prison for the assault.
Okay so I posted this earlier, but no one seems to be picking up on it, so I am posting it again.
Justin Neal Shelton
This piece of trash beat a pregnant woman with a bottle during a car jacking attempt and in 2007 he was sentenced to 5 years in prison. He was 18 then.
We need… https://t.co/rlAJPzn9xt
— Sean (@SeanALarabee) January 27, 2026
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
More recently, Shelton was convicted in 2020 of possessing a firearm or ammunition after committing a violent crime, further adding to his criminal record before his arrest at the Maple Grove protest.
Also arrested was 45-year-old Abraham Nelson Coleman, a Minneapolis resident charged with damaging property outside the hotel.
Coleman has accumulated multiple convictions for theft and property damage since 2003, according to public records.
Police said the arrests came after the protest escalated beyond lawful expression.
Demonstrators reportedly flooded the area around the SpringHill Suites, believing U.S. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and other federal agents were staying at the hotel.
“The protest was declared an unlawful assembly after property damage and violence occurred, making the activity no longer protected under the First Amendment,” the Maple Grove Police Department said in a statement.
“Dispersal orders were issued, and individuals were given clear instructions and ample opportunity to leave.”
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the response was driven by safety concerns, not the content of the protest itself.
“The Maple Grove Police Department is aware federal agents are staying at hotels across the state and were the subject of this protest. During this incident, our priority was the safety of those in the area, hotel staff, all guests, and property,” police said.
“While we respect First Amendment rights, we will not tolerate property damage or violence in our community.”
Another individual arrested was 21-year-old Rayna Michelle Alston, who faces riot-related charges. Alston has publicly expressed support for anti-ICE demonstrations and has displayed the phrase “disrupt disturb resist” on her Instagram account.
Police noted that Alston has previously voiced support for nationwide shutdown actions connected to immigration protests.
The Maple Grove arrests came amid heightened tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement across Minnesota, where activist groups have increasingly targeted hotels and public locations believed to house federal agents.
Authorities said the investigation into Monday night’s incident remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
Police have not reported any serious injuries to officers or hotel guests, but confirmed that property damage occurred during the confrontation.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
Read the full article here
