Minneapolis, Minnesota — Federal prosecutors have dismissed assault charges against Julio C. Sosa-Celis and Alfredo A. Aljorna after acknowledging that sworn statements from two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were inconsistent with video evidence.
Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national living in the U.S. without authorization, was shot in the leg by an ICE agent on Jan. 14. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially claimed the officer was “ambushed and attacked” by three men using a snow shovel and broom handle, and that the agent fired in self-defense. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem described the encounter as an attempted murder.
But U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen later told a federal judge that “newly discovered evidence” was materially inconsistent with those allegations. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson dismissed the charges with prejudice, preventing them from being refiled.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said video evidence revealed officers “made untruthful statements” under oath. Both officers were placed on administrative leave pending investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing the matter.
Officials have not publicly released the video footage or identified the officers involved.
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