HSI report describes a Minneapolis criminal investigation; Riach compares the operation to COINTELPRO
HSI says its Minneapolis undercover work targets criminal activity. Kevin Riach, counsel for a Minnesota 15 defendant, compares the operations to COINTELPRO. Court filings also dispute whether the defense should receive broader records about the funding program.
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Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
HSI describes undercover work in Minneapolis as investigation of threats and interference with federal officers. Its St. Paul leader publicly defends the investigation as a response to coordinated violence. Defense attorney Kevin Riach compares HSI's operations to COINTELPRO. The accounts dispute the justification for the surveillance.
Read the full background
An HSI case-opening report (opens in a new tab), filed by the defense as an exhibit on August 13, describes Operation Puppet Master as an effort to investigate support for violence and interference with federal officers. It documents the integration of undercover agents into groups identified as potential threats and says HSI is conducting a financial investigation. The report lists January 28 as the opening date and February 16 as its approval date.
In its September 10 discovery brief (opens in a new tab), DOJ distinguishes Operation Keyhole, a funding and administrative program dating to 2008, from individual investigations. It says Puppet Master and Project Whipple Shield used that support and argues that disclosing unrelated investigative material could endanger agents and other cases. The brief asks the court to deny broader discovery, or review materials privately if disclosure is warranted.
In remarks published by WIRED on October 28 (opens in a new tab), Kevin Riach, counsel for Isaac Sant, compares HSI's role to COINTELPRO. The dispute concerns the justification and limits of the surveillance. The government's descriptions are allegations, and the discovery brief is an advocate's submission.
DOJ's June 16 announcement (opens in a new tab) identifies 15 defendants and charges including conspiracy to impede a federal officer, interstate stalking and assaults on federal officers. The release quotes HSI St. Paul defending the investigation as a response to coordinated violence. Those accusations remain allegations.
The September 30 order (opens in a new tab) grants Sant an evidentiary hearing because the government's supplemental brief purports to introduce new evidence supported only by attorney arguments. The October 21 minute entry (opens in a new tab) records the hearing held on October 20 and states that the discovery motion requires supplemental briefing. The docket also records a superseding indictment (opens in a new tab) filed October 22 and entered October 23. These entries do not decide whether the surveillance was justified.
Timeline
8 timeline entries on this page. Dates: January 28, 2026 to October 28, 2026
January 2026
HSI opens Operation Puppet Master
Incident
The case-opening report lists January 28 as the opening date and February 16 as its approval date.
[01]HSI report opens Operation Puppet Master
The HSI case-opening report was filed as an exhibit to the defense's August 13 discovery motion. It describes the stated criminal-investigation purpose of the undercover activity.
HSI report opens Operation Puppet MasterECF 212-1, pages 1-2; filed August 13, 2026
June 2026
DOJ announces charges against 15 Direct Action Minnesota defendants
Source release
DOJ announces the indictment and quotes HSI's defense of the investigation. The allegations include interference with federal officers and stalking.
[02]United States Department of Justice
DOJ announces charges against 15 people and quotes HSI's defense of the investigation. The accusations remain allegations.
DOJ announces the Direct Action Minnesota indictment · United States Department of JusticeJune 16 release, charge summary and HSI St. Paul statement
August 2026
HSI case-opening report is filed publicly
Source release
The defense files the HSI report as an exhibit to its discovery motion in United States v. Sant.
[01]HSI report opens Operation Puppet Master
The HSI case-opening report was filed as an exhibit to the defense's August 13 discovery motion. It describes the stated criminal-investigation purpose of the undercover activity.
HSI report opens Operation Puppet MasterECF 212-1, pages 1-2; filed August 13, 2026
September 2026
DOJ files supplemental discovery arguments about Keyhole
The government distinguishes the funding program from individual investigations and opposes broader disclosure.
[03]United States Department of Justice
The supplemental discovery brief distinguishes the funding program from individual investigations.
DOJ explains Operation Keyhole and opposes broader discovery · United States Department of JusticeECF 263, September 10, 2026; pages 2-8Court grants an evidentiary hearing on Operation Keyhole
Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz grants Sant's request for an evidentiary hearing because the government's supplemental discovery brief purports to introduce new evidence on Operation Keyhole supported only by attorney arguments. The order sets a hearing; it does not decide the discovery motion.
[04]Court grants Sant an evidentiary hearing on Operation Keyhole
The court grants an evidentiary hearing because the government's supplemental brief purports to introduce new evidence on Operation Keyhole supported only by attorney arguments. It does not decide the discovery motion on the merits.
Court grants Sant an evidentiary hearing on Operation KeyholeUnited States v. Sant, ECF 274, pages 1-2
October 2026
Court holds a discovery hearing; motion requires supplemental briefing
The October 21 minute entry records the previous day's evidentiary hearing, with Joshua Brenner as the government's witness. It says Sant's discovery motion requires supplemental briefing and will be taken under advisement as of the latest briefing due date, with an order to follow.
[05]Minnesota 15 docket records the October 20 discovery hearing
The minute entry records an evidentiary hearing and states that Sant's discovery motion requires supplemental briefing. It separately takes a nonparty's motion concerning an ICE memorandum under advisement.
Minnesota 15 docket records the October 20 discovery hearingECF 304, entered October 21, reporting the October 20 hearingProsecutors file a superseding indictment in the Minnesota 15 case
The docket records a superseding indictment against the fifteen defendants, filed October 22 and entered October 23. Count One charges all fifteen with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer; the other seven counts charge individual defendants with offenses including solicitation, interstate threats, interstate stalking and assaulting a federal officer. The charges remain accusations.
[06]Minnesota 15 docket records a superseding indictment
The docket identifies a superseding indictment against the fifteen defendants. An indictment records accusations, not findings of guilt.
Minnesota 15 docket records a superseding indictmentECF 308, filed October 22 and entered October 23, 2026WIRED reports on the surveillance and publishes Riach's criticism
Source release
The report quotes Riach and links the underlying filings about the investigation.
[07]WIRED investigates HSI's Minneapolis surveillance
Riach criticizes the investigations. The article links the HSI report and the government's discovery brief.
WIRED investigates HSI's Minneapolis surveillanceOctober 28 report, Kevin Riach interview and linked filings
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Homeland Security Investigations
HSI's Minneapolis undercover work investigates support for crimes against federal officers.
What is disputed
HSI states this criminal-investigation purpose; Riach compares the operations to COINTELPRO.
Sources (2)
- HSI report opens Operation Puppet MasterECF 212-1, pages 1-2; filed August 13, 2026
- WIRED investigates HSI's Minneapolis surveillanceOctober 28 report, Kevin Riach interview and linked filings
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 matching responses. Newest first.
Kevin C. RiachDefense attorney for Isaac Sant, as identified by WIREDDirectly involved Before this statement
In remarks published by WIRED, Riach discusses HSI reports.
"the new COINTELPRO"
CondemnedCase context: HSI report describes a Minneapolis criminal investigation; Riach compares the operation to COINTELPRO
Full statement and sources
Riach compares HSI's operations to COINTELPRO and authoritarian secret policing.
After the statement
He compares its role to authoritarian policing.
WIRED investigates HSI's Minneapolis surveillanceOctober 28 report, Kevin Riach interview and linked filingsWhy this label?
Relative to the undercover operations, he likens HSI's role to COINTELPRO and authoritarian secret policing.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Homeland Security InvestigationsHSI St. Paul, statement by Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthyDirectly involvedBefore this statement
DOJ announces an indictment against 15 people. The release attributes these remarks to HSI's St. Paul leader.
"Today’s announcement is the result of a thorough investigation into a deeply troubling trend: coordinated violence targeting federal law enforcement officers in an effort to cause chaos and impede law enforcement operations"
Defended or excusedCase context: HSI report describes a Minneapolis criminal investigation; Riach compares the operation to COINTELPRO
Full statement and sources
Michael McCarthy, HSI's special agent in charge in St. Paul, says the charges are the result of a thorough investigation into coordinated violence targeting federal law enforcement officers.
After the statement
He says HSI respects peaceful protest and argues that violence and criminal activity warrant investigation.
DOJ announces the Direct Action Minnesota indictment · United States Department of JusticeJune 16 release, charge summary and HSI St. Paul statementWhy this label?
Relative to HSI's Minneapolis investigation, McCarthy justifies it as a response to coordinated violence against federal officers and, in the same remarks, distinguishes it from peaceful protest.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
- Homeland Security InvestigationsFederal investigative agencyDirectly involved
Before this statement
The report says an organized network is providing material support to violent opportunists and agitators involved in impeding federal law enforcement and assaulting federal officers. It says HSI St. Paul is conducting a financial investigation to uncover the funding sources used by these groups.
"This case is opened to document the integration of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Undercover Agents (UCAs) into groups, organizations, or other gatherings identified by intelligence information and other sources as potentially threatening to law enforcement personnel in the performance of their duties."
Defended or excusedCase context: HSI report describes a Minneapolis criminal investigation; Riach compares the operation to COINTELPRO
Full statement and sources
The HSI report states a criminal-investigation purpose for integrating undercover agents into groups identified as potential threats.
After the statement
The report says any individual or organization identified for further investigatory action will be documented in its own case file, and that an assistant U.S. attorney has accepted the investigation for federal prosecution in Minnesota.
HSI report opens Operation Puppet MasterECF 212-1, pages 1-2; filed August 13, 2026Why this label?
Relative to HSI's undercover surveillance in Minneapolis, the report justifies the operation: it ties the undercover work to an alleged network supporting assaults on federal officers and to a financial investigation aimed at prosecution.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(7)
Original text
HSI report opens Operation Puppet Master
Relevant passage: ECF 212-1, pages 1-2; filed August 13, 2026
About this source
The HSI case-opening report was filed as an exhibit to the defense's August 13 discovery motion. It describes the stated criminal-investigation purpose of the undercover activity.
- Author
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Published
- Accessed
oct28-minnesotaInternal.pdf · application/pdf
Original text
Minnesota 15 docket records a superseding indictment
Relevant passage: ECF 308, filed October 22 and entered October 23, 2026
About this source
The docket identifies a superseding indictment against the fifteen defendants. An indictment records accusations, not findings of guilt.
- Author
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Minnesota 15 docket records the October 20 discovery hearing
Relevant passage: ECF 304, entered October 21, reporting the October 20 hearing
About this source
The minute entry records an evidentiary hearing and states that Sant's discovery motion requires supplemental briefing. It separately takes a nonparty's motion concerning an ICE memorandum under advisement.
- Author
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Court grants Sant an evidentiary hearing on Operation Keyhole
Relevant passage: United States v. Sant, ECF 274, pages 1-2
About this source
The court grants an evidentiary hearing because the government's supplemental brief purports to introduce new evidence on Operation Keyhole supported only by attorney arguments. It does not decide the discovery motion on the merits.
- Author
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
DOJ announces the Direct Action Minnesota indictment
Relevant passage: June 16 release, charge summary and HSI St. Paul statement
About this source
DOJ announces charges against 15 people and quotes HSI's defense of the investigation. The accusations remain allegations.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
WIRED investigates HSI's Minneapolis surveillance
Relevant passage: October 28 report, Kevin Riach interview and linked filings
About this source
Riach criticizes the investigations. The article links the HSI report and the government's discovery brief.
- Author
- Ali Winston
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
DOJ explains Operation Keyhole and opposes broader discovery
Relevant passage: ECF 263, September 10, 2026; pages 2-8
About this source
The supplemental discovery brief distinguishes the funding program from individual investigations.
- Published
- Accessed
oct28-minnesotaMotion.pdf · application/pdf
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- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- HSI report describes a Minneapolis criminal investigation; Riach compares the operation to COINTELPRO
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/hsi-minnesota-15-puppet-master-keyhole-surveillance
The Dispute Index. "HSI report describes a Minneapolis criminal investigation; Riach compares the operation to COINTELPRO". First published: 2026-10-29. Last updated: 2026-10-29. https://disputeindex.com/cases/hsi-minnesota-15-puppet-master-keyhole-surveillance