Chou Pang Yee Thao

On December 17, 2025, police responded to 1415 L’Orient Street, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, to recover a firearm. Upon arrival, police met with the complainant, GRK, who reported that an employee, CHOU PANG YEE THAO – [DOB REDACTED], was detained by the Department of Homeland Security when he returned to the business the previous afternoon. Following THAO’s detainment, GRK located THAO’s backpack in the company work truck used by THAO. GRK said he opened the backpack to confirm it was THAO’s and found a firearm inside.

The firearm was a Glock P80, commonly known as a ghost gun, with a loaded magazine that contained 14 live rounds. There was not a round in the chamber. THAO is ineligible to possess firearms and ammunition due to a felony conviction for Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree in Ramsey County District Court File No. 62-K4-03-470 on April 9, 2003. On December 22, 2025, the investigator met with THAO, who was in federal custody at the Freeborn County Jail. Following a Miranda advisory, THAO confirmed that he is a full-time delivery driver and was the only employee who used that truck.

THAO also confirmed that the backpack located in the vehicle is his. THAO admitted that the firearm belonged to him and said he purchased it for protection in 2020 due to the civil unrest. THAO acknowledged that he did not have a permit to carry a firearm in Minnesota. THAO reported that he was aware of his conviction for Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree but said he was unaware that it made him ineligible to possess a firearm. According to jail records, THAO was released from Freeborn County Jail on March 4, 2026.