Through a public records request, Unicorn Riot has uncovered evidence of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) using fake social media accounts to monitor individuals and protests. The documents received shed light on the operations of the MPD’s Strategic Information Center (SIC), where intelligence analysts employ covert methods to gather information.
The Strategic Information Center: A Hub of Intelligence Gathering
The SIC functions as a law enforcement fusion center, coordinating information sharing about significant crimes and investigations. It utilizes various techniques, including:
- Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
- Predictive crime analysis
The center regularly collaborates with other intelligence groups, such as:
- Minneapolis FBI Field Intelligence Group and Joint Terrorism Task Force
- Minnesota Fusion Center
- Criminal Information Sharing & Analysis unit
Intelligence is shared between these entities using email and ICEFISHX, an internet-based intelligence network.
The Angel Garcia-Lonetree Accounts
The investigation revealed a series of social media accounts named Angel Garcia-Lonetree, which appear to be fake profiles used for monitoring protest activities. These accounts were found on various platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Livestream.
Key findings about the Angel Garcia-Lonetree accounts:
- Created around 2011, coinciding with the Occupy Wall Street movement
- Followed and engaged with protest-related content in Minneapolis
- Used a profile picture traced back to an Italian art student’s 2007 post
Despite extensive searching, no records of a real person named Angel Garcia-Lonetree were found, raising suspicions about the authenticity of these accounts.
Connection to Lt. Jeff Rugel
The investigation uncovered a strong connection between the Angel Garcia-Lonetree accounts and Lt. Jeff Rugel, Commander of the Strategic Information Center. Email records showed that information sent to Angel’s Gmail account was quickly forwarded by Rugel to SIC intelligence groups.
Lt. Jeff Rugel’s Background
Lt. Rugel has a history of involvement in intelligence-gathering operations:
- Chaired the “Emerging Issues Committee” in 2011, focusing on Occupy Wall Street protests
- Involved in pre-crime policing initiatives
- Provides training in “Identification via Social Media”
- Leads the Gang Enforcement Team within the SIC
MPD’s Response and Policy
When questioned about the use of fake social media accounts, the MPD indirectly confirmed their practices:
- Stated they use social media for “intelligence gathering and investigative purposes”
- Hinted at following guidelines from the International Association of Chiefs of Police
- Provided their policy on “covert use of social media,” which outlines procedures for creating and maintaining covert profiles
Implications and Concerns
The revelation of these practices raises significant concerns about privacy and surveillance. Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) warned about the risks of organizing actions on social media, comparing it to “holding a meeting in the lobby of a police precinct.”
The use of fake accounts also appears to violate the terms of service of platforms like Twitter, though the MPD deflected questions about this to the companies themselves.
This investigation by Unicorn Riot has exposed the extent of covert social media monitoring by the Minneapolis Police Department. It highlights the sophisticated methods used by law enforcement to gather intelligence on protesters and activists, raising important questions about privacy, civil liberties, and the boundaries of police surveillance in the digital age.
