Minnesota DOC Challenges Federal Claims on Chuma's Criminal Record

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has responded to claims made by federal officials, including Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, regarding the shooting of Alex Pretti. Commander Bovino had previously stated that immigration enforcement agents were targeting Jose Huerta Chuma due to an alleged criminal history involving domestic assault, intentional bodily harm, and disorderly conduct.

The Minnesota DOC issued a statement asserting that federal accounts have

"repeatedly included inaccurate information"

regarding Minnesota custody and criminal records related to Chuma. The department conducted a thorough review of available records to determine any connection Chuma had to Minnesota state prison custody.

Minnesota DOC Review Details:

The DOC's key findings from its review include:

• The individual identified by federal officials has no record of being in Minnesota DOC custody.
• DOC and court records contain no felony commitments associated with this individual.
• Public Minnesota court records show only misdemeanor-level traffic offenses that occurred more than a decade ago.
• The individual is not currently under DOC supervision.

Federal Custody and Release Clarified

The DOC's records further indicate that Huerta was previously held in federal immigration custody within a local Minnesota jail in 2018. The department clarified that any release decisions from federal custody at that time would have been made by federal authorities. The DOC possesses no information explaining the individual's release from federal custody.

Cooperation with ICE Affirmed

Additionally, the DOC refuted allegations that it fails to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in facilitating custody transfers for individuals subject to federal detainers. The department characterized these assertions by high-level ICE officials as

"untrue, reckless, and contrary to longstanding practice."