The Investigation into Official Deceit
On February 13, 2026, federal authorities announced a formal criminal probe into two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers suspected of providing false testimony regarding a January shooting in Minneapolis. The announcement, made by ICE Director Todd Lyons, follows the abrupt dismissal of felony charges against two Venezuelan nationals who had been accused of assaulting the agents during the incident.
The investigation marks a significant turning point in a case that has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics. According to the Department of Justice, “newly discovered evidence”—specifically, video footage—was found to be “materially inconsistent” with the officers’ sworn statements. The discrepancy was so severe that U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing the men from being reindicted for the same alleged offenses.
The Disputed Incident
The shooting occurred on January 14, 2026, in a north Minneapolis neighborhood. According to initial federal complaints and sworn affidavits by FBI agents, the ICE officers claimed they were conducting a targeted stop when they were attacked by Alfredo Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. One officer testified that the men struck him repeatedly with a broom and a snow shovel, prompting him to fire his weapon in self-defense. Sosa-Celis was shot in the leg during the encounter.
However, the defense presented a starkly different narrative supported by bystander video and forensic evidence. Attorneys for the two men argued that the agents had mistaken Aljorna for a different individual and that no such assault took place. Photographic evidence showed bullet holes through the front door of the men’s duplex and an interior wall, suggesting the agent fired through a closed door rather than during an active physical struggle in the street.
“The charges against them were based on lies by an ICE agent who recklessly shot into their home,” stated defense attorney Brian D. Clark. “They are overjoyed that justice is finally being served.”
A Pattern of Discrepancies
This investigation into perjury is not an isolated event but part of a broader trend of “official misinformation” currently under fire. In Chicago, similar allegations have surfaced regarding the shooting of Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen and teaching assistant.
In that case, Homeland Security (DHS) officials initially labeled Martinez a “domestic terrorist” and claimed she attempted to ram agents with her vehicle. Discovery in her civil suit later revealed a hand-drawn diagram by an agent depicting vehicles that “did not exist.” Furthermore, internal text messages showed the involved agent, Charles Exum, bragging to colleagues about the shooting, stating, “I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys.”
In Minneapolis, public trust has been further eroded by the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti earlier this year. In both instances, initial DHS statements claiming “armed resistance” were later challenged by video evidence showing the victims holding cell phones or being tackled while documenting enforcement actions.
Implications for Federal Accountability
The decision to open a criminal probe into the ICE officers’ testimony is a rare move for the Department of Justice, particularly under an administration that has historically championed aggressive immigration enforcement. ICE Director Todd Lyons emphasized that “lying under oath is a serious federal offense” and that the agency remains committed to the “highest standards of integrity.”
The two officers, whose names have not been publicly released by federal authorities, have been placed on administrative leave. If the probe confirms they committed perjury or falsified federal records, they could face termination and criminal prosecution.
The fallout from these incidents has already caused internal friction within the DOJ. Reports indicate that at least 14 federal prosecutors in Minnesota have resigned in recent weeks, citing “disgust” over how senior officials handled the initial investigations and the spread of inaccurate information to the public.
Sources and Links
- Associated Press: Feds investigating whether 2 ICE officers lied about the shooting of a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis
- CP24 News: U.S. investigating whether 2 ICE officers lied about the shooting
- The Guardian: Eight people have died in dealings with ICE so far in 2026
- Jurist: Attorney of woman shot by ICE agent accuses officials of fabricating evidence
- ProPublica: Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
- PBS NewsHour: What we know so far about the ICE shooting in Minneapolis
- American Immigration Council: 6 Deaths in ICE Custody and 2 Fatal Shootings: A Horrific Start to 2026
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