At a Glance
- GoFundMe keeps live a $550,000 fundraiser for ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good
- Platform rules bar campaigns for legal defense in violent crimes, yet Ross has not been charged
- Language shifted from “legal services” to “help him” after News Of Fort Worth‘s inquiry
- Why it matters: The platform’s uneven enforcement raises questions about whose campaigns stay online
GoFundMe is allowing a $550,000 fundraiser titled “ICE OFFICER Jonathan Ross” to remain active, even though its terms of service prohibit raising money for the legal defense of anyone accused of violent crimes. The campaign seeks funds for an ICE agent identified as the shooter in the death of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three and widow of a military veteran, during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis.
Policy vs. Practice
The Minnesota Star Tribune first named the officer as Jonathan Ross, 43. The GoFundMe page originally stated that “funds will go to help pay for any legal services this officer needs,” language that squarely violates the platform’s rule against financing legal defense for violent crimes.
After News Of Fort Worth asked for comment on Sunday night, the organizer replaced the text with the vaguer phrase, “Funds will go to help him.” Yet multiple carousel slides on the page still read:
- “Give to cover Jonathan’s legal defense”
- “Officer Jonathan Ross’s legal defense fund pays attorney fees and court costs”
GoFundMe’s terms state users may not “use the Service or Platform to raise funds” for “the legal defense of financial and violent crimes, including those related to money laundering, murder, robbery, assault, battery, sex crimes or crimes against minors.”
A company spokesperson told News Of Fort Worth on Sunday that the platform was “reviewing all fundraisers tied to the shooting” and that “any campaigns that violate this policy will be removed.” The spokesperson added that GoFundMe was “working directly with the organizer to gather additional information.”
Organizer and Investigation
The campaign organizer is listed as Clyde Emmons of Mount Forest, Michigan. News Of Fort Worth could not immediately reach Emmons or confirm his identity. GoFundMe did not respond to follow-up questions about whether it had advised the language change.
Ross has not been formally charged. The FBI is conducting the sole investigation after federal authorities blocked Minnesota investigators from participating. In response, the state attorney general and Hennepin County attorney launched an independent evidence-collection effort.
Historical Precedent
GoFundMe has previously removed similar campaigns:
| Year | Campaign | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Baltimore FOP for officers charged in Freddie Gray death | Removed for terms violation |
| 2015 | South Carolina officer charged in Walter Scott shooting | Removed for terms violation |
A company spokeswoman said at the time of the Gray case: “GoFundMe cannot be used to benefit those who are charged with serious violations of the law. The campaign clearly stated that the money raised would be used to assist the officers with their legal fees, which is a direct violation of GoFundMe’s terms.”
Key Takeaways
- GoFundMe’s policy bans legal-defense fundraisers for violent crimes, yet the Ross campaign stays live
- The platform edited language after media inquiry but left explicit slides untouched
- No charges have been filed, leaving the policy violation in a gray zone
- Past removals show the platform can act when officers are formally charged
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