Two ICE Officers Investigated for Allegedly Lying About Migrant Shooting

An investigation is looking into two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. They are accused of not telling the truth under oath about a shooting that happened in Minneapolis. Charges against two men involved have been dropped.
By Newsroom | Federal Law Enforcement, Minneapolis |

Federal authorities are now investigating two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. These officers are accused of making untruthful statements under oath regarding an incident where an ICE agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan migrant in Minneapolis on January 14th. This development follows the federal prosecutors' decision to drop felony charges against the two Venezuelan men initially involved in the case. The situation has escalated into a formal probe, with the implicated officers placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of internal and external investigations.

Federal officers may have lied about shooting of migrant in Minneapolis, officials say - 1

Background of the Incident

On January 14th, ICE officers attempted to arrest Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during a traffic stop in Minneapolis. According to the initial DHS statement, Sosa-Celis fled the scene, and an officer then shot him, wounding him in the leg. The Trump administration, at the time, asserted that Sosa-Celis had attacked a federal law enforcement officer with a "shovel or a broom stick" as he attempted to evade arrest. However, legal representatives for Alfredo Aljorna, another man charged in connection with the incident, have disputed this account. They cite surveillance videos that they claim do not support the assertion of an assault and suggest Sosa-Celis was shot while near his apartment doorway, some distance from the officer. Sosa-Celis and Aljorna themselves have denied assaulting the agent.

Read More: Charges Dropped Against Two Men in Minneapolis ICE Incident

Federal officers may have lied about shooting of migrant in Minneapolis, officials say - 2

Conflicting Accounts Emerge

  • Official Account: Federal authorities initially stated that Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis attacked an officer with a weapon while attempting to evade arrest after a traffic stop. This narrative was used to justify the shooting.

  • Defense Claims: Lawyers for the accused men, specifically Alfredo Aljorna, contend that surveillance footage contradicts the official account. They argue Sosa-Celis was shot while retreating and not in the act of an assault.

  • Victim's Account: Both Sosa-Celis and Aljorna reportedly deny assaulting the federal agent. Sosa-Celis's attorney stated that Sosa-Celis was holding a shovel but was moving into his home when the shot was fired.

Investigation and Consequences

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that two of its officers have been placed on leave due to allegations of making false statements. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that these officers made "untruthful statements" under oath. An internal investigation is underway, and upon its conclusion, the officers could face termination of employment and potential criminal prosecution. The FBI has also launched an investigation into whether the officers lied. This scrutiny comes during a period of heightened federal law enforcement presence in Minnesota, a deployment that has drawn significant criticism.

Broader Context and Scrutiny

This incident is part of a larger context of federal operations in Minneapolis. A week prior to Sosa-Celis's shooting, another migrant, Renee Good, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in the city. The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a federal immigration officer also prompted calls for an impartial investigation, highlighting a pattern of federal actions under scrutiny. The operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, brought over 3,000 ICE officers and Border Patrol agents to the state, sparking considerable backlash from various groups.

Key Evidence and Points of Contention

  • Weapon: The nature of the object Sosa-Celis was holding (broom or snow shovel) and his actions with it are central to the dispute.

  • Proximity: The distance between Sosa-Celis and the officer when the shot was fired is a critical detail.

  • Surveillance Footage: The alleged existence and content of surveillance videos are being examined for corroboration or contradiction of official statements.

  • Victim's Records: Officials noted that neither Sosa-Celis nor Aljorna had prior violent criminal records.

Official Statements

"The unidentified officers made ‘untruthful statements’ under oath and had ‘been immediately placed on administrative leave pending the completion of a thorough internal investigation.’" - Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director

"Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution." - Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director

Expert Analysis

  • Legal observers note that proving an officer lied under oath can be complex, often requiring clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of regularity in official duties. The potential for criminal prosecution indicates that investigators believe there is substantial evidence of deliberate falsehoods.

  • The involvement of federal prosecutors in dropping charges against Sosa-Celis and Aljorna suggests a reevaluation of the initial evidence, possibly influenced by inconsistencies or new information that cast doubt on the original narrative of assault.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The core of the current investigation revolves around the veracity of the ICE officers' statements concerning the events leading up to the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. The potential for federal officers to face criminal charges underscores the seriousness of the allegations of lying under oath. The dropping of charges against the two Venezuelan men indicates a shift in the legal standing of the incident's initial framing. Further steps will likely involve thorough examination of all available evidence, including witness statements, forensic reports, and the disputed surveillance footage. The outcome of the internal DHS investigation and any subsequent criminal proceedings will determine the accountability of the implicated officers and could have broader implications for federal law enforcement practices in the region.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the two ICE officers accused of?
They are accused of making untrue statements under oath about a shooting incident.
Q: What happened in the shooting?
An ICE officer shot and wounded a Venezuelan migrant in January. The migrant's lawyers say the official story is not true.
Q: What happened to the charges against the other men?
Federal prosecutors decided to drop the felony charges against the two Venezuelan men who were involved.
Q: Are the officers still working?
No, the two officers have been put on leave while the investigation happens.