Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe allows for a fundraising campaign related to the potential legal defense of an ICE agent who A civilian was shot dead to remain online, despite company rules prohibiting fundraising linked to violent crimes and previous enforcement actions against similar campaigns.
The fundraiser, titled “ICE OFFICER Jonathan Ross,” seeks at least $550,000 to support potential legal expenses for the ICE agent identified as being involved in this matter. He shot and killed Renee Nicole Goodemother of three and widow of a veteran, during a meeting with immigration agents in Minneapolis.
The officer was first He has been identified as Jonathan Ross43, by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The GoFundMe campaign’s stated goal—to raise money for post-homicide legal services—is in direct conflict with the GoFundMe campaign’s stated goal GoFundMe Terms of Servicewhich specifically prohibits fundraising intended to support the legal defense of people accused of financial or violent crimes.
GoFundMe has not publicly explained why Ross’s fundraiser remains active despite its terms of service stating that users agree not to “use the Service or Fundraising Platform” for “the legal defense of financial and violent crimes, including those related to money laundering, murder, robbery, assault, battery, sexual crimes, or crimes against minors.”
Ross has not been formally charged with any crime. The shooting is being investigated exclusively by the FBI after federal authorities effectively barred Minnesota investigators from participating, prompting the state’s attorney general and the Hennepin County district attorney to launch a parallel effort to independently collect evidence.
In an email, a GoFundMe spokesperson told WIRED Sunday night that it was reviewing all fundraisers related to the shooting. “During the review process, all funds remain securely held by our payment processors,” the spokesperson said. “GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers that raise money for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime. Any campaigns that violate this policy will be removed.”
The company added that it is working directly with the organizer of Ross’ fundraising campaign to “gather additional information.” The organizer was identified at the site as Clyde Emmons of Mount Forest, Michigan. WIRED could not immediately reach Emmons or confirm his identity.
Sunday night, the fundraiser for Emmons stated that “funds will go to help pay for any legal services this officer needs.” That language was removed after a WIRED inquiry and replaced Monday morning with “the money will go to help him.”
GoFundMe did not respond to multiple follow-up requests for comment, including questions about whether it advised the regulator to change the description to better comply with its rules.
Despite the changes, several slides in the library at the top of Ross’ fundraising page — which remain active as of this writing — clearly state the purpose of the fundraiser: “Donate to cover Jonathan’s legal defense” and “Officer Jonathan Ross’ Legal Defense Fund pays attorney’s fees and court costs.”
GoFundMe’s inaction contrasts with its handling of previous cases involving law enforcement officers and civilians killed during encounters with police.
In 2015, GoFundMe removed a Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police fundraiser for Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, citing violations of its rules against supporting legal defenses in violent cases. That same year, the platform removed a campaign for a South Carolina officer accused of shooting Walter Scott.
“GoFundMe cannot be used to benefit those accused of serious violations of the law. The campaign clearly stated that the funds raised would be used to help officers pay their legal fees, which is a direct violation of the terms of GoFundMe,” a company spokeswoman said at the time of Gray’s fundraiser.