Federal Judge Orders Release of Two Venezuelan Nationals Accused of Assaulting ICE Officer, Leading to Immediate Re-Arrest

Two Venezuelan nationals, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, 26, and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, 24, were involved in a complex legal situation following allegations of assaulting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. According to court records referenced by The Minnesota Star Tribune, the two men were ordered to be released by a federal judge during a recent hearing in Minneapolis. This decision was based on the judge’s assessment that they did not present a significant flight risk.

However, shortly after this ruling, ICE re-arrested the pair before they could even leave the courthouse. The Minnesota Star Tribune noted that attorneys for Ajorna and Sosa-Celis claimed ICE detained them without providing an explanation, leading to the filing of a habeas corpus petition later that day.

Minnesota Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz subsequently issued an order preventing ICE from removing the men from the state and required the federal government to justify its actions by the end of the week.

This re-detention is unconstitutional, and they should be immediately released,” attorney Brian Clark stated in the emergency habeas petition.

The charges against Ajorna and Sosa-Celis arose from an incident on January 14, during which ICE agents attempted a targeted traffic stop in north Minneapolis. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the situation escalated when Sosa-Celis evaded officers by fleeing in his vehicle, colliding with a parked car, and then escaping on foot. When a pursuing officer caught up with him, Sosa-Celis allegedly resisted arrest violently.

As the struggle continued, two individuals reportedly emerged from a nearby apartment and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and the handle of a broom, allowing Sosa-Celis to break free and allegedly strike the officer again. Fearing for his life, the federal agent fired a defensive shot, injuring Sosa-Celis in the leg.

Despite his injury, Sosa-Celis and his associates sought refuge inside the apartment, barricading themselves in. DHS categorized this event as an “attempted murder of federal law enforcement,” portraying an ICE officer as having been ambushed during the incident.

Ultimately, ICE succeeded in arresting all three individuals. Both the officer and Sosa-Celis required hospitalization following the confrontation. DHS disclosed that the three involved Venezuelan nationals were taken into federal custody due to the events of January 14. Among those named were Sosa-Celis, Ajorna, and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma.

Nevertheless, The Tribune highlighted the absence of any mention of Hernandez-Ledezma in the federal affidavit and noted that he faces no federal charges. He is reportedly detained at a federal facility in Texas, though the newspaper was unable to independently verify his involvement.

Defense attorneys raised questions over the incident’s details, referring to photographic evidence and witness accounts suggesting the gunshot may have been discharged after the suspects retreated indoors.

This report incorporates information from Fox News’ Greg Wehner and contributions by Michael Dorgan of Fox News Digital. Michael Dorgan can receive tips at [email protected] and is available on Twitter under the handle @M_Dorgan.