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One of 15 Minnesotans charged with conspiring against ICE officers turned herself into officials Wednesday morning.

Federal officials arrested most of the defendants Tuesday and they had their first appearance in court for efforts to “violently oppose immigration law enforcement."

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen had called the defendants yet to be detained "fugitives at-large."

But one of them, Natasha Rakotz, denies the charges — and the label.

“I think all of this is absolutely ridiculous. I am not a violent person. I've never been violent. I've never had trouble with the law,” she said. “The only thing I did was care about this, my community, and my neighbors. I can't just sit there and not do anything, but I definitely would never do anything illegal.”

after 15 Minnesotans charged with anti-ICE conspiracy

Minnesota attorneys, activists react to protester charges

Rakotz says she was home when law enforcement came knocking Tuesday. She called her lawyers and had waited for them to verify the warrant.

Attorney James Cook says he went to court on her behalf Tuesday and let prosecution know she was willing to comply.

The 45-year-old Minneapolis resident faces charges for assault and “conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer.” The indictment alleges Rakotz tracked license plates of federal agents' cars and in one instance, intentionally braked in front of an officer's car, causing a collision.

Rakotz and her attorneys declined to comment on her involvement during the ICE surge.

Her neighbor Jodi Wishart vouched for Rakotz outside the courthouse.

“She is the kindest person, and so gentle, and so just peaceful,” Wishart said.

Wishart says Rakotz, an in-home healthcare aide, had worked for an elder neighbor and did such a good job that the family invited her to continue living at the house for free even after the woman died.

Rakotz had a hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

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Immigration enforcement in Minnesota

Feven Gerezgiher

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Natasha Rakotz, 45, is one of the 15 Minnesotans charged with conspiring against ICE officers. She turned herself into officials on Wednesday morning.

Minneapolis woman charged with anti-ICE conspiracy speaks out

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