In February 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed two agents on administrative leave after a joint review by ICE and the Department of Justice (DOJ) found they likely made “untruthful statements” under oath regarding a violent encounter in Minneapolis.
The investigation centers on a January 14, 2026, incident where an ICE agent shot a Venezuelan man, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, in the leg.Â
Key Details of the Case
- Initial Allegations:Â Federal authorities initially claimed that Sosa-Celis and another man, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, “ambushed and attacked” an agent with a snow shovel and broom handle.
- Evidence Contradictions:Â Newly discovered video evidence and witness testimony appeared “materially inconsistent” with the agents’ sworn accounts. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the agent firing through a closed door as the men attempted to enter a home.
- Legal Outcomes:Â Following the revelation of the potential perjury, a federal judge dismissed all felony assault charges against the two Venezuelan men “with prejudice,” meaning the charges cannot be refiled.
- Potential Consequences:Â Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that lying under oath is a “serious federal offense” and that the agents could face both termination and criminal prosecution.Â
This incident occurred during a broader immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area known as Operation Metro Surge, which the Trump administration announced would end shortly after these revelations.Â