Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said a joint ICE-DOJ review of video evidence suggests two federal officers gave untruthful sworn testimony about the lead-up to a Minneapolis shooting that wounded a Venezuelan immigrant. Both officers have been placed on administrative leave while the U.S. Attorney's Office investigates and could pursue termination or criminal charges. The Justice Department also moved to dismiss charges against Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis after prosecutors found newly discovered evidence inconsistent with earlier allegations.
ICE Says Two Federal Officers Appeared To Lie About Events Before Minneapolis Immigrant Shooting
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons attends a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
Feb. 13 (Reuters) - Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons said on Friday that a joint review of video evidence by ICE and the U.S. Department of Justice indicates two federal officers appear to have given false sworn testimony about the events that led to the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis last month.
Evidence Review and Official Response
Lyons said the review "has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements." Both officers have been placed on administrative leave while the U.S. Attorney's Office investigates whether the statements were false.
"Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution," Lyons said.
Charges Dropped
The announcement came a day after the Justice Department moved to drop charges against Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, the Venezuelan immigrant who was shot in the leg, and another man who had been accused of assaulting a federal officer. Minnesota's top federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, asked a judge to dismiss the case with prejudice, citing "newly discovered evidence in this matter [that] is materially inconsistent with the allegations." A dismissal with prejudice prevents the charges from being refiled.
Broader Context
ICE and other federal agents have faced intense criticism over an immigration-enforcement surge in Minneapolis. The operation has been controversial amid reports that two U.S. citizens were killed during the campaign. Earlier this week, Tom Homan, the administration's senior border enforcement official, said the surge would be winding down.
The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Justice Department are conducting their reviews; any findings could lead to administrative discipline or criminal charges against the officers involved. The developments raise questions about use-of-force protocols, oversight of federal immigration operations, and the accuracy of officer testimony in enforcement actions.
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