The Brief Federal immigration authorities sent a letter to Hennepin County Sheriff Dewanna Witt saying that she could be criminally charged for not granting access to inmates sought by ICE agents. The Hennepin County Sheriff could face federal prosecution for not granting ICE agents broad access to inmates held in the county's jail. READ MORE: Hennepin County Sheriff: ICE needs to 'follow the law'ICE officials threaten to prosecute Hennepin County Sheriff WittBig picture view:The New York Times reports that federal authorities sent letters threatening to charge Hennepin County Sheriff Dewanna Witt with witness tampering. The Hennepin County Sheriff Department's longstanding policy is to honor ice requests to take custody of inmates only if it is accompanied by a judicial warrant. Operation Metro Surge aftermathThe backstory:Many communities and businesses are still feeling the impacts of Operation Metro Surge.