Federal Charges Dismissed Against Venezuelan Men; Immigration Officers Under Investigation for Untruthful Statements

Federal charges against two Venezuelan men, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, have been dismissed following a shooting incident involving immigration officers in north Minneapolis in January. This development coincides with a federal criminal investigation launched into two immigration officers involved in the incident, who are suspected of providing untruthful statements under oath. The officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Dismissal of Charges and Officer Investigation

U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Daniel N. Rosen, moved to dismiss all federal charges against Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Rosen cited "newly discovered evidence" that was "materially inconsistent with the initial allegations." The dismissal was made with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be refiled. Attorneys for Aljorna and Sosa-Celis expressed satisfaction with the decision.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons confirmed a joint investigation with the Justice Department into two unnamed immigration officers involved in the shooting. The probe was initiated after video evidence reportedly suggested the officers made false statements. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, also stated that video evidence contradicted the agents' sworn testimony. The officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation.

Lyons emphasized that lying under oath is considered a serious federal offense, indicating potential consequences for the officers, including termination and criminal prosecution.

Details of the January 14 Incident

The incident occurred on January 14 in north Minneapolis. Immigration officers initiated a traffic stop after identifying a vehicle associated with an individual reportedly lacking legal status.

Initial Pursuit

The driver, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, reportedly fled, leading to a vehicle chase that lasted between 15 and 30 minutes, during which Aljorna allegedly drove at speeds up to 80 mph and ran stop signs. Aljorna reportedly contacted Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis for assistance during this time. The chase concluded at Sosa-Celis's residence, where Aljorna reportedly crashed into a snowbank and ran towards the house.

Conflicting Accounts of Altercation and Shooting

Federal Accounts: An immigration officer reportedly tackled Aljorna near the house, leading to a physical struggle in the snow. According to testimony from FBI Minneapolis Special Agent Terry Getsch, Sosa-Celis then approached. Initial DHS reports claimed an officer discharged a weapon to "save his life" after being "ambushed and attacked by three individuals" with snow shovels and broom handles, describing it as "an attempted murder of federal law enforcement." The officer sustained a gash on their right arm. The FBI investigator's affidavit also alleged Aljorna resisted arrest and that Sosa-Celis and another man attacked an officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, prompting the officer to fire.

Defense and Eyewitness Accounts/Later Evidence: Defense attorneys stated that other eyewitnesses, including a neighbor and the individuals' girlfriends, did not report seeing objects used to assault the officer. Video footage, although not presented in court, reportedly did not depict objects being used. The involved officer was reportedly the sole eyewitness to state that objects were used, and this reportedly occurred in darkness.

Eyewitnesses and court documents reviewed by The Minneapolis Star Tribune alleged an unnamed ICE agent punched and choked Aljorna, with Sosa-Celis intervening to separate them. Sosa-Celis sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. He stated he was shot as he was closing his front door, and his wife, Indriany Mendoza Camacho, reported hearing "They shot through the door," adding that Sosa-Celis did not use any object to assault the agent. A bullet was later found embedded between a child's bed and a crib inside the home, suggesting Sosa-Celis was struck after entering. Children aged 1 and 3 were present in the residence. The broom handle and shovel allegedly used by the men were not recovered by agents.

Aftermath and Further Arrests

Following the shooting, federal officers surrounded the residence, which contained Aljorna, Sosa-Celis, their girlfriends, and two young children. Officers deployed tear gas twice to facilitate the individuals' exit. Tear gas was also reportedly used on a gathering crowd outside the home. Sosa-Celis received medical treatment for his gunshot wound.

Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma, another Venezuelan man residing in the same apartment complex, was also arrested. He was initially flown to an ICE detention facility in Texas, then returned to Minnesota and discharged from ICE custody after a federal judge ordered his release. Allegations were made that his removal aimed to prevent him from serving as an eyewitness.

State authorities have initiated their own criminal investigation into the shooting. However, the FBI has reportedly declined to share evidence, provide the officer's name, or make him available for an interview.

Broader Context and Related Developments

The shooting occurred during "Operation Metro Surge," an immigration enforcement initiative launched by the Trump administration in December, which deployed approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota. The operation, which reportedly led to over 4,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants, was terminated on Thursday.

Following the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, alleging they encouraged impedance and assault against federal law enforcement.

Noem had described the event as an "attempted murder" of a federal officer.

This case is among several instances where federal government accounts of use-of-force incidents involving federal agents have been questioned or contradicted by evidence, particularly video footage. These include the fatal shootings of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti, which are also under federal investigation. The Department of Homeland Security has consistently stated in such incidents that agents acted out of fear for their lives, a defense that aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court's 1989 ruling establishing an "objectively reasonable" belief of danger as justification for the use of force.