The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has been informed that a former corrections officer, Morris Brown, has been arrested by federal authorities and is facing allegations of immigration fraud and false claims of U.S. citizenship.

Mr. Brown’s employment with the Department ended in October 2025.

The allegations outlined by federal authorities describe a pattern of deception spanning multiple years and multiple federal agencies, including false claims of citizenship and misrepresentations in immigration filings. If proven true, these actions represent deliberate misconduct by Mr. Brown.

Last month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requested employment eligibility documentation related to Mr. Brown. The DOC promptly provided the requested I-9 records and fully cooperated with federal authorities, as we routinely do when federal agencies make lawful requests. DOC records reflect that it followed federal document verification requirements on hiring Mr. Brown.

“If these federal allegations are accurate, this individual engaged in sophisticated efforts to misrepresent their identity, extending well beyond Minnesota. We are grateful to USCIS and ICE for their work in investigating and addressing immigration fraud,” said DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell. “We will continue to comply with federal law and work professionally with our federal partners,” he added.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections remains committed to transparency, lawful hiring practices, and the safety of staff, people in our custody, and the public.

Media FAQs:

Why is Morris Brown no longer working for the state?

Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the reason for an employee’s departure from employment is private data.

What information is the DOC able to share about Mr. Brown’s employment status with the MN DOC?

Public data on current and former employees is described in Minnesota Statutes § 13.43, subd. 2.

Employment history for Mr. Morris Brown:

Dates of employment: May 10, 2023 - October 5, 2025

Base salary at the time of separation from DOC: $64,560.96

Complaints/discipline:None