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Bloomington PD: 16 arrested in 'Operation Creep' sex sting [FULL]
Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges announced Tuesday 16 men have been arrested for a Nov. 5 operation called "Operation Sting," where they were soliciting a 17-year-old girl to purchase sex. One of the men arrested is a state employee with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (FOX 9) - Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges announced Tuesday morning 16 men have been arrested as part of "Operation Creep," for allegedly trying to solicit a minor for sex. One of the alleged suspects is an employee with the Department of Homeland Security.
‘Operation Creep’
The backstory:
Hodges says "Operation Creep" was named after the song "I’m a creep" by Radiohead, which he played a portion of during his news conference to make examples of the 16 men arrested.
The operation took place on Nov. 5, spanned three days and involved Bloomington police, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Eden Prairie police, Richfield police, Airport police and Roseville police. Undercover officers utilized various communication methods to engage with subjects who believed they were speaking with a 17-year-old girl, and who are accused of attempting to solicit a minor for sex.
"For the life of me, I don’t understand why people want to come here and do this. We arrested 16 people. There’s a song by Radiohead ‘I’m a creep’, every single one of these guys that did this is a creep," Hodges said.
‘Operation Creep’ arrests
Local perspective:
The 16 men arrested range in age from 18 to 49. Hodges said some of the men had brought drugs and firearms to the meeting, and one individual had been arrested in a previous sting operation.
Authorities announced 16 arrests in a joint law enforcement sex solicitation sting, called "Operation Creep." (FOX 9)
Alexander Back, 41 of Robbinsdale, is a civilian employee who works as an auditor with the Department of Homeland Security and has been charged in the sting. Another suspect, 41-year-old Jacobe Timler, works with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and allegedly brought four grams of methamphetamine to meet the girl. Hodges says other suspects include a Metro Transit bus driver, and an employee with the Brown County Historical Society.
What's next:
Hodges said charges against several of the 16 men are in the works.
Similar operation to Justin Eichorn’s arrest
Dig deeper:
Hodges said "Operation Creep" is similar to another operation from earlier this year that resulted in the arrest of Minnesota state lawmaker Justin Eichorn. He was charged with soliciting sex from a minor, and resigned his Senate seat.
Hodges said Bloomington police partners with other agencies frequently to crack down on soliciting minors for sex, and conduct a couple operations per year.
The Source: This story uses information obtained from a Bloomington police press conference on Nov. 18, 2025.