Charges Against Man Shot by Federal Agent to Be Dismissed

On January 14, 2026, an incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in north Minneapolis resulted in the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. The event began when ICE officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle linked to an individual in the country illegally. The driver, later identified as Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, fled the scene, leading to a brief pursuit that ended when the vehicle collided with a light pole. Aljorna exited the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot.

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In a recent motion filed by Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, the charges against Sosa-Celis and Aljorna are set to be dismissed with prejudice. Rosen indicated that newly discovered evidence contradicts the initial allegations made against the two men. The motion is pending approval from a federal judge before the charges can be officially dropped. The initial complaint accused Sosa-Celis of striking an ICE officer during the altercation, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon, which resulted in Sosa-Celis being shot in the leg.

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According to court documents, the ICE agents were pursuing a vehicle registered to a man listed in their database as being in the country illegally. After the vehicle crash, Aljorna fled, and during the ensuing struggle with an ICE agent, Sosa-Celis allegedly intervened by striking the officer with a broom. However, the U.S. Attorney's motion highlights that the evidence now available is materially inconsistent with the original allegations, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding the incident may not have unfolded as initially reported.

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U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen stated, "Newly discovered evidence in this matter is materially inconsistent with the allegations in the Complaint Affidavit... as well as the preliminary-hearing testimony that was based on information presented to the Affiant." This statement underscores the significant shift in the legal narrative surrounding the case.

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While the motion to dismiss the charges reflects a change in the prosecution's stance, it raises questions about the initial handling of the incident by ICE agents. Critics may argue that the use of force in this situation warrants further scrutiny, particularly regarding the protocols followed by federal agents during arrests involving individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.

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The details surrounding the incident remain complex, with discrepancies in the accounts of what transpired during the altercation. An FBI agent testified that the ICE officer sustained a gash to his hand during the struggle, but the specifics of how the injuries were incurred remain unclear. As the case progresses, further investigation may be necessary to clarify these conflicting narratives.

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The next steps hinge on the federal judge's approval of the motion to dismiss the charges against Sosa-Celis and Aljorna. The outcome may influence future interactions between federal agents and individuals suspected of immigration violations, as well as the policies governing such encounters.

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