Two federal immigration agents are on leave under accusations of lying after video evidence from the shooting of a Venezuelan migrant in Minneapolis led federal prosecutors to drop felony charges against the man.
Newly obtained footage reviewed by The New York Times appears to contradict initial claims that a Venezuelan migrant and others attacked a federal immigration agent before the officer opened fire.
Instead, the video shows a brief struggle lasting seconds, raising questions about the accuracy of sworn statements used to justify the charges, the Times reported.
Federal prosecutors in February moved to dismiss felony assault charges against Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who was shot in the leg, and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, citing "newly discovered evidence" that undermined the government’s case.
The dismissal is with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be refiled.
According to the initial account from federal authorities, the agent had been beaten for several minutes with a shovel and a broom by multiple attackers.
But the video shows no sustained assault and only two individuals involved in a brief confrontation.
Newsmax reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment on the Times report.
"The men and women of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct. Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated," an ICE spokesperson told Newsmax on Monday.
"ICE remains fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the fair enforcement of our nation's immigration laws."
The discrepancy surrounding the shooting prompted internal action.
ICE confirmed that two agents have been placed on administrative leave after evidence suggested they may have provided false testimony under oath.
"A joint review by ICE and the Department of Justice of video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements," the ICE spokesperson told Newsmax.
"Both officers have been immediately placed on administrative leave pending the completion of a thorough internal investigation.
"Lying under oath is a serious federal offense. The U.S. Attorney's Office is actively investigating these false statements.
"Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution."
The case unfolded during a broader immigration crackdown in Minnesota under President Donald Trump’s administration, which deployed thousands of federal agents to the region to address what officials described as a surge in illegal immigration and public safety concerns.
While critics have seized on the latest developments to attack federal enforcement efforts, supporters argue the situation highlights the need for transparency and accountability as authorities continue to confront the challenges posed by illegal immigration.
The government's case relied heavily on the agent’s account, which was not supported by video evidence or eyewitness testimony.
Defense attorneys for the two men maintained that their clients did not attack the officer as alleged.
The Times report also revealed that federal officials had access to the video within hours of the shooting but did not review it before filing charges, raising questions about due diligence in the early stages of the investigation.
The Associated Press and AFP contributed to this report.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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