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Federal authorities have arrested William Kelly, one of the anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters who disrupted services at Cities Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday (January 18). Kelly was taken into custody on Thursday, days after he challenged U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly to arrest him.
Kelly faces federal charges of conspiracy to deprive rights for his role in the protest, which interrupted worship with chants such as "Hands up, don’t shoot" and "ICE out." The demonstration targeted the church because one of the congregation’s elders, David Easterwood, is the acting field director for ICE in Minnesota.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Kelly’s charges in a post on X, saying, "William Kelly is being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights, a federal crime, for his involvement in the St. Paul church riots."
The other arrestees, Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, are facing similar charges. Armstrong is accused of organizing the protest, which was aimed at pressuring the church’s leadership due to its ICE connection.
In a profanity-laced video posted before his arrest, Kelly challenged Bondi to detain him, asserting that protesters were invited into the church and never asked to leave. Videos shared on social media show Kelly berating churchgoers, criticizing their lifestyles and expressing opposition to ICE policies.
Attorney General Bondi emphasized the government’s stance, stating, "We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith."
She and Secretary Noem both stressed that religious freedom is a fundamental principle and that places of worship must be safeguarded from disruption.