ICE Agents Under Investigation Following Assault Charges Dismissed

Two agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are facing a criminal probe after federal prosecutors moved to drop serious assault charges against a Venezuelan immigrant linked to a shooting in Minneapolis back in January.

ICE Director Todd Lyons indicated on Friday that new video evidence implies that the officers may have provided “untrue statements” under oath regarding the shooting of a Venezuelan during an incident on January 14, as reported by the Associated Press. The officers have been placed on administrative leave and could potentially face termination or criminal charges, as noted by Lyons and DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

In an email to Fox News Digital, McLaughlin stated, “A joint review of video evidence by ICE and the Department of Justice (DOJ) has revealed that sworn statements from two separate officers appear to contain falsehoods.” Both officers are currently on administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted.

She also emphasized, “Lying under oath is a grave federal offense. The United States Attorney’s Office is diligently investigating these discrepancies. Once this investigation concludes, the officers could face dismissal and possible criminal charges. The individuals at ICE are expected to uphold the law and must adhere to the highest standards of conduct and integrity. Breaches of this vital commitment will not be tolerated.”

Initially, the case involved two Venezuelan nationals, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna and Julio Cesar Sosacelis, who had been accused of attacking an ICE officer during what was deemed a targeted traffic stop.

U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen requested to dismiss the charges, mentioning “newly discovered evidence” that greatly contradicts the claims made in earlier court documents and testimonies. A federal judge accepted this motion on Friday. Reports stated that both video footage and testimonies did not support the assertion that ICE officers were attacked with shovels or brooms.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously stated that officers tried to apprehend Sosacelis on January 14 after he allegedly fled in a vehicle, crashed, and then ran on foot. At that time, DHS claimed the officers eventually caught him, but he resisted and allegedly assaulted one of them.

Furthermore, it was claimed that Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernández-Ledesma hit the officer with a snow shovel and a broomstick, prompting the officer to fire, injuring Sosacelis in the leg. After the incident, authorities reported that all three involved had fled into an apartment, leading to their apprehension, and both the officer and Sosacelis were hospitalized.

The name of the police officer involved has not been disclosed. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether the Venezuelan nationals may face deportation.