Federal prosecutors in Minneapolis have moved to drop felony assault charges against two Venezuelan men, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, after new evidence surfaced that contradicts the government’s earlier claims. In a recent filing, the U.S. Attorney's Office indicated that newly discovered evidence is materially inconsistent with the allegations presented during previous court proceedings. The motion seeks a dismissal of charges with prejudice, preventing future re-filing.
The case originates from a January 14 incident where Aljorna attempted to evade authorities, allegedly leading to a struggle between him and an ICE officer, during which Sosa-Celis was shot in the upper right thigh. Initial accounts described the two men attacking the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, justifying the officer's use of deadly force. However, as the case proceeded, discrepancies emerged between the officer's narrative and those provided by the defendants and other eyewitnesses.
During a January 21 court hearing, it became clear that the ICE officer's claims were unsupported by available video and eyewitness testimony. Aljorna and Sosa-Celis maintained that they were not armed with weapons typically mentioned by the ICE officer, casting doubt on the justification for the officer's actions. Both men, who lack prior violent criminal records, had been working low-profile jobs to avoid encounters with ICE.
Following the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized state officials, framing the incident as an ambush against federal law enforcement. However, the inconsistencies raised during the hearings challenge this narrative. Ultimately, the potential dismissal of charges emphasizes ongoing tensions surrounding law enforcement's use of force against immigrant communities and further complicates the legal landscape regarding immigration enforcement practices.
The case originates from a January 14 incident where Aljorna attempted to evade authorities, allegedly leading to a struggle between him and an ICE officer, during which Sosa-Celis was shot in the upper right thigh. Initial accounts described the two men attacking the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, justifying the officer's use of deadly force. However, as the case proceeded, discrepancies emerged between the officer's narrative and those provided by the defendants and other eyewitnesses.
During a January 21 court hearing, it became clear that the ICE officer's claims were unsupported by available video and eyewitness testimony. Aljorna and Sosa-Celis maintained that they were not armed with weapons typically mentioned by the ICE officer, casting doubt on the justification for the officer's actions. Both men, who lack prior violent criminal records, had been working low-profile jobs to avoid encounters with ICE.
Following the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized state officials, framing the incident as an ambush against federal law enforcement. However, the inconsistencies raised during the hearings challenge this narrative. Ultimately, the potential dismissal of charges emphasizes ongoing tensions surrounding law enforcement's use of force against immigrant communities and further complicates the legal landscape regarding immigration enforcement practices.
