Federal Officers Under Criminal Investigation for Alleged False Statements; Charges Against Civilians Dismissed

Federal authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into two immigration officers for allegedly making false statements under oath, following a January 14 shooting incident in north Minneapolis. The probe was prompted by video evidence that reportedly contradicted initial accounts. Subsequently, federal charges against two Venezuelan men, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who were arrested and injured in the incident, have been dismissed with prejudice.

Federal authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into two immigration officers for allegedly making false statements under oath, prompted by video evidence that reportedly contradicted initial accounts. Federal charges against two Venezuelan men arrested and injured in the incident have since been dismissed with prejudice.

Incident Overview

On January 14, an incident occurred in north Minneapolis involving federal immigration officers, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. The event began when immigration officers initiated a traffic stop, identifying a vehicle associated with an individual lacking legal status, which was reportedly driven by Aljorna.

Initial Allegations and Civilian Charges

According to an FBI investigator's affidavit, Aljorna allegedly fled the traffic stop, leading to a vehicle chase. The chase reportedly concluded when Aljorna crashed into a snowbank at a residence, identified as Sosa-Celis's, and ran towards the house. An immigration officer reportedly tackled Aljorna, leading to a physical struggle. At this point, Sosa-Celis reportedly approached the scene.

The initial account claimed the officer was assaulted by Sosa-Celis and another man using a snow shovel and a broom handle, resulting in a gash on the officer's right arm. Two brooms and a snow shovel were reportedly found at the scene. The officer then discharged a firearm as Aljorna and Sosa-Celis entered the house, wounding Sosa-Celis in the leg.

Federal officers subsequently surrounded the residence, which contained Aljorna, Sosa-Celis, their girlfriends, and two young children. Officers deployed tear gas twice to facilitate the individuals' exit. Aljorna and Sosa-Celis then exited the house, and Sosa-Celis received medical treatment for his gunshot wound.

Aljorna and Sosa-Celis were initially charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers or employees. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Micko ordered their release from federal custody, citing their nonviolent criminal histories and family connections, determining they did not present a public safety or high flight risk. Conditions for their release included avoiding contact with witnesses or victims involved in the investigation. Aljorna was also mandated to wear a GPS ankle monitor and adhere to movement restrictions. A federal prosecutor indicated an intent to appeal the judge's release decision at the time.

Contradictory Evidence and Dismissal of Charges

During subsequent court proceedings, information emerged that challenged the initial allegations. Eyewitness accounts from a neighbor and the individuals' girlfriends did not report seeing objects used to assault the officer. Defense attorneys noted that video footage of the scene reportedly did not depict objects being used, and that the involved officer was the sole eyewitness to state that objects were used during the alleged assault.

Eyewitness accounts also indicated Sosa-Celis was retreating into his home when the officer fired, and Aljorna threw a broomstick as he ran. Sosa-Celis's partner, Indriany Mendoza Camacho, stated she witnessed the incident and that Sosa-Celis did not use any object to assault the agent.

Following the emergence of "newly discovered evidence," described as materially inconsistent with the initial allegations, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel N. Rosen dismissed all federal charges against Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna. The dismissal was made with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be refiled.

Investigation into Federal Officers

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that two federal immigration agents involved in the incident appear to have provided untruthful statements. A joint criminal investigation has been initiated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Justice into the unnamed officers. The officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation.

ICE Director Todd Lyons and DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that lying under oath is a serious federal offense, indicating that the officers could face termination or criminal prosecution.

Attorneys for Aljorna and Sosa-Celis have urged the government to release the name of the involved agent and pursue charges. State authorities have also reportedly initiated their own criminal investigation into the shooting. The FBI has reportedly declined to share evidence, provide the officer's name, or make him available for an interview.

Related Context

Following the shooting, then-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. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to inquiries regarding whether Noem stands by those statements in light of the new evidence.

Another Venezuelan man, Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma, who lived in the same apartment complex, was also arrested in connection with the incident. He was initially flown to an ICE detention facility in Texas but was later returned to Minnesota and discharged from ICE custody after a federal judge ordered his release. This followed allegations that his removal aimed to prevent him from serving as an eyewitness.

The shooting occurred during "Operation Metro Surge," an immigration enforcement initiative that began in December. The operation deployed approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota and reportedly led to over 4,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration announced the termination of Operation Metro Surge. The operation was also associated with the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, in separate shooting incidents, which are also reportedly under federal investigation.