Federal law enforcement officials have reported a significant rise in assaults against officers, citing an increase of more than 1,300% as they work to apprehend individuals breaking the law.
On January 14, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detailed an incident in Minneapolis involving three Venezuelan nationals who assaulted a federal officer during a targeted traffic stop. The main subject, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, had previously entered the United States illegally in August 2022 and was released by Minnesota authorities before ICE could file a detainer. Sosa-Celis had prior convictions for driving without a license and providing false names to police.
According to ICE, when officers attempted to arrest Sosa-Celis at approximately 6:50 PM CT, he fled by car before crashing into a parked vehicle and escaping on foot. As an officer pursued him and tried to make an arrest, Sosa-Celis resisted and began fighting with the officer. During the struggle, two other individuals—identified as Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma—left a nearby apartment and attacked the officer with household items including a snow shovel and broom handle.
ICE stated that "as the officer was being ambushed and attacked by the two individuals, Sosa-Celis got loose and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick." Fearing for his safety during what officials described as an ambush by three people, "the officer fired a defensive shot to defend his life." Sosa-Celis was struck in the leg. All three then retreated into an apartment where they barricaded themselves before being taken into custody by ICE.
Both the officer involved in the altercation and Sosa-Celis were hospitalized following the incident. All three men are now held by ICE.
Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the event: "What we saw last night in Minneapolis was an attempted murder of federal law enforcement. Our officer was ambushed and attacked by three individuals who beat him with snow shovels and the handles of brooms. Fearing for his life, the officer fired a defensive shot," she said. "Mayor Frey and Governor Walz have to get their city under control. They are encouraging impeding and assault against our law enforcement which is a federal crime, a felony. This is putting the people of Minnesota in harm’s way."
The statement from DHS also noted that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have not cooperated with federal efforts regarding violent criminal non-citizens within their communities.
Officials further alleged that all three men entered or remained in the country after failing to comply with immigration proceedings or being designated as non-enforcement priorities under current administration policies.
