Two DHS Employees Placed on Leave Over False Shooting Report

In Washington, two employees from the Department of Homeland Security are on leave and may face criminal charges. This follows accusations that they falsely reported a shooting involving an immigrant in Minnesota last month.

Todd Lyons, the Acting Commissioner of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, mentioned on Friday that the unnamed officers provided “untrue statements” while under oath. They have been placed on administrative leave as a detailed internal investigation is conducted.

Lyons indicated that depending on the investigation’s findings, termination and potential criminal prosecution could follow.

This incident ties back to a shooting on January 14 where a police officer shot a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg after a traffic stop that led to a chase.

According to initial reports from DHS, the suspect “collided with a parked vehicle” and then fled on foot. When authorities caught up, he reportedly resisted and became aggressive toward the officers.

A struggle occurred, with two other immigrants allegedly attempting to use a “snow shovel and a broomstick” to assault the officers. At some point, the original suspect obtained the tools and began striking one of the officers.

“In that moment, fearing for his safety, the officer discharged his weapon, hitting the initial suspect in the leg,” DHS officials noted.

After the incident, all three suspects retreated to an apartment where they barricaded themselves. Both the officer and the suspect were hospitalized, while the other two were taken into custody.

Those two individuals, Alfredo Alejandro Argiorna and Julio Cesar Sosascelis, were charged with assault and obstruction of justice soon after but, on Thursday, the Justice Department dropped the charges.

According to a federal prosecutor, new evidence emerged which contradicted earlier allegations made in the charging documents and preliminary hearings.

“A dismissal with prejudice serves justice better,” remarked Assistant U.S. Attorney Shinjen Canasatega.

Previously, federal judges had released the men pending trial, despite prosecutors’ objections.

On Friday, Judge Paul A. Magnuson ordered the dismissal of charges against Argiorna and Sosascelis, meaning the charges cannot be brought back up again.

Lyons emphasized that lying under oath is a serious offense, reminding everyone that the agents of ICE are expected to maintain high standards. He further stated that any violations would not be tolerated, reaffirming ICE’s commitment to transparency and fair immigration law enforcement.

Defense attorney Brian D. Clark expressed that his clients were relieved by the news of the dropped charges. He criticized the initial actions of the ICE agents, suggesting they overstepped bounds by entering homes without warrant.

Given the government’s request to dismiss with prejudice, Clark noted his clients felt justice had been achieved and urged for the identities of the ICE agents to be disclosed, advocating for accountability.

In related news, Tom Homan, former border security chief during the Trump administration, announced on Thursday that the influx of immigration agents in Minnesota will soon be reduced, leaving only a limited number of agents in the state.

Operation Metro Surge had deployed over 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to Minnesota, which drew significant opposition from various groups, as evidenced by recent public opinion polls.

By the end of this operation, about 2,000 DHS employees will remain, with 700 stationed specifically in Minneapolis.