Oklahoma Bounty Hunters Charged After Brandishing Replicas on Minneapolis Streets
MINNEAPOLIS: April 1, 2026
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office filed formal charges yesterday against two Oklahoma men following a high-tension confrontation in downtown Minneapolis last month.
The Defendants
Garrett Christopher Willis, 28 (Ardmore, OK)
James Reginal Willis, 54 (Ardmore, OK)
Charges: Each faces two felony counts of Threats of Violence.
The Incident: March 3, 2026
In the shadow of the Hennepin County Jail on the City Hall block, the situation unfolded as follows:
The Drop: The bounty hunters parked their van to drop off a suspect.
The Crowd: Bystanders gathered and recorded on phones amid heightened community anxiety regarding immigration enforcement.
The Escalation: Surveillance and bystander footage captured the following sequence:
Garrett Willis opened the driver-side door and pointed a weapon directly at civilians.
James Willis stepped forward with a pepper ball rifle, aiming at the ground and firing into the pavement.
As smoke drifted, Garrett raised his weapon again and pulled the trigger twice.
The van accelerated, forcing one civilian to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.
“The scene was described as terrifying. While prosecutors cannot confirm if the weapons were real firearms or replicas as they were never recovered, witnesses on the scene believed they were real.”
Investigation Status
While the Willises claimed they were threatened by the crowd, investigators note that no audio or video evidence supports that claim. The defendants left Minnesota on March 4, but the case remains open with a first court appearance scheduled for April 21, 2026.
Two civilians who stood directly in front of the van remain unidentified. Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward, as additional charges may be filed.
Prior Incident: South Minneapolis
Earlier that same day, the Willises were involved in another confrontation at East 28th and Oakland.
The Arrest: The pair were in the process of arresting another warrant subject.
The Threat: A motorist filming the scene reported that one of the men pointed a weapon at him. Witnesses on the scene stated the weapon appeared to be a real firearm.
The Investigation: March 13, 2026
Police reached James Willis by phone nearly two weeks after the incident.
The Defense: James claimed he “dreaded the call” and argued that the videos looked worse than the reality of the situation.
The Gear: He maintained the team only carries “less lethal” equipment, specifically pepper ball pistols and rifles.
The Empty Cartridge: Investigators noted Garrett’s pistol had an empty cartridge and nothing was discharged.
Unsubstantiated Claims: While the Willises claim the crowd threatened them, investigators found no video or audio evidence to support those claims.
Current Case Status
The Willises left Minnesota on March 4, but the legal process is moving forward:
Open Investigation: Investigators are still hunting for more witnesses and reviewing every frame of available footage.
Unidentified Victims: The two civilians who stood directly in front of the van during the downtown confrontation have not been identified. Authorities note that additional charges are possible if these individuals are located.
The Push for Reform: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is driving the charges, calling the behavior “disturbing” and “unlawful.”
The community remains raw from previous “Operation Metro Surge” federal occupations, specifically referencing the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal officers.
Proposed Legislation: Moriarty is pushing for strict new laws to regulate bounty hunters in Minnesota:
Licensing: All bounty hunters must be state bonded and carry a million dollar liability insurance policy.
Training: Requirement of 20 hours of classroom time and a 40 hour “power of arrest” course.
Documentation: Proper authority documents must be carried at all times.
Banning “Cop Cosplay”: A strict ban on fake badges and clothing that mimics law enforcement uniforms.
This is the machine exposed. Federal warrants. Extraction fees. No local oversight. Out of state crews roll in armed. Drop the body. Turn replicas on witnesses who record. Incentives clear. Accountability zero. Streets fractured. Post surge static everywhere.
Civilians saw the draw. The smoke. The swerve. The empty claims. Not the paperwork.
Court docs hold the videos. Bystander clips. Motorist footage. Run them yourself. Triggers. Chants. Chill calls. Ground keeps every frame.
