MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into potential perjury by two immigration officers concerning a shooting incident in Minneapolis last month. The investigation follows the dropping of all charges against two Venezuelan nationals, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who were previously accused of assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
ICE Director Todd Lyons announced the comprehensive probe alongside the Justice Department after video evidence surfaced indicating that sworn testimonies from the two officers contained alleged falsehoods regarding the shooting of Sosa-Celis during an ICE operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area amid heightened immigration enforcement.
Currently, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation unfolds. Lyons emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating that lying under oath would not only lead to potential termination but also criminal prosecution for the officers involved.
U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson dismissed felony assault charges against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis, citing a motion for dismissal from U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Daniel N. Rosen. This motion was based on "newly discovered evidence" that contradicted the initial claims made against the two men in a criminal complaint prior to the dismissal.
The government originally presented a narrative where Aljorna allegedly crashed his car during an ICE traffic stop and later resisted arrest. Sosa-Celis was accused of attacking the arresting officer with a broom handle and snow shovel, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and injuring Sosa-Celis in the thigh. However, recent developments suggest that the officers' accounts may have been misrepresented.
Voicing their satisfaction, the immigration lawyers representing Aljorna and Sosa-Celis expressed their clients’ relief at the dismissal of the charges, which could have led to lengthy sentences if convictions were obtained. They contended that the accusations stemmed from a reckless shooting by the ICE officer concerned, asserting that their clients are victims of the situation.
Following the dismissal of charges, a drastic shift in narrative has emerged. ICE officers' accounts were challenged by analysis from multiple eyewitnesses, and video evidence contradicted the claims that the agents were assaulted with the mentioned weapons. Aljorna and Sosa-Celis maintained their innocence during all proceedings, and statements from neighbors and family members did not corroborate the officer's account of events.
Furthermore, the investigation by federal authorities has drawn remarks from various officials. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had previously condemned local governance for allegedly fostering anti-law enforcement sentiments, characterizing the incidents as attempted murder of federal officers. However, as the investigation unfolds, the authenticity of such claims is being scrutinized.
A third individual, Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma, who resided in the same apartment complex but had not been federally charged, alleged that he was wrongfully detained by ICE shortly after the incident to prevent him from serving as a key eyewitness undermining the prosecution's version of events. Following a court order, he was returned to Minnesota and released from custody.
The case showcases the significant challenges and contradictions coming to light regarding federal immigration enforcement actions in recent months, particularly relating to the use of excessive force and the integrity of accounts provided by ICE officers. Federal officials have committed to transparency as the joint investigation aims to address the discrepancies and improve standards within the agency.
