Justice Manipulated? Witness Tampering Allegations Fly

Federal authorities opened a perjury investigation into two ICE officers after video evidence exposed their sworn testimony as false, revealing a troubling pattern where law enforcement accounts contradict objective evidence during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations.

Story Highlights

Video evidence directly contradicted ICE officers’ sworn testimony about an assault with a broom and shovel during a Minneapolis arrest attempt
Federal prosecutors dropped all charges against two Venezuelan men after discovering the officers’ false statements under oath
ICE Director Todd Lyons announced both officers are on administrative leave facing potential termination and criminal prosecution
A third detainee was allegedly transferred to Texas to prevent him from testifying as a witness against the officers

Video Evidence Contradicts Officer Testimony in Minneapolis Shooting

Two ICE officers became subjects of a federal perjury probe after video footage directly contradicted their sworn statements about a January 14, 2026 incident in Minneapolis. The officers testified under oath that Venezuelan nationals Yorman Aljorna and Jose Sosa-Celis violently assaulted them with a broom and shovel during an arrest attempt. Video evidence showed this account was false. ICE Director Todd Lyons announced the joint ICE-DOJ investigation on February 13, 2026, stating the officers “appears to have made untruthful statements” in their sworn testimony. Both officers are now on administrative leave and face potential termination and criminal charges.

January Incident Escalates from Traffic Stop to Shooting

The confrontation began when ICE attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Aljorna during enforcement operations targeting undocumented immigrants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Aljorna crashed the vehicle and fled on foot to his North Minneapolis apartment duplex, where an ICE officer pursued him. The officer shot Aljorna, allegedly after the claimed assault with gardening tools. Defense attorneys assert the shooting occurred through a closed door while their clients were retreating. Both men, along with Sosa-Celis, barricaded themselves inside the duplex where young children under two years old were present, prompting officers to deploy tear gas before the men surrendered.

Federal Charges Collapse After False Testimony Revealed

Federal prosecutors initially charged Aljorna and Sosa-Celis with assaulting a federal officer based on an FBI affidavit supporting the ICE officers’ account. When video evidence emerged contradicting the sworn testimony, prosecutors moved to dismiss all charges. Immigration attorney Brian D. Clark stated the charges were “based on lies by an ICE agent who recklessly shot” his clients, calling them “overjoyed” at the dismissal. Defense attorney Robin M. Wolpert described her client as a “crime victim” rather than a perpetrator. Both men worked as DoorDash drivers and had no prior violent criminal records, raising questions about the aggressive enforcement tactics employed during the operation.

Third Man Allegedly Moved to Silence Witness Testimony

Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma, arrested downstairs during the incident, became central to allegations of witness tampering. Court petitions filed January 30, 2026 alleged authorities detained Hernandez without a warrant and transferred him to a Texas ICE facility specifically to prevent him from testifying about what he witnessed. A federal judge ordered his return to Minnesota, and he was released in early February. This maneuver raises serious concerns about federal authorities manipulating witnesses and obstructing justice to protect officers who provided false testimony. The FBI has withheld evidence and officer identities from Minnesota state authorities conducting a separate investigation into the shooting itself.

Accountability Questions Emerge Over Immigration Enforcement Tactics

This incident represents a critical test of accountability within immigration enforcement operations. While ICE Director Lyons acknowledged the gravity of perjury, stating “Lying under oath is a serious federal offense,” the broader implications extend beyond two officers. Defense attorneys are demanding the shooter be publicly identified and charged, emphasizing that false testimony enabled both an unjustified shooting and wrongful prosecution. The deportation status of Aljorna and Sosa-Celis remains unclear despite charge dismissals, leaving these men in legal limbo. Conservative Americans who support strong immigration enforcement must also demand officers uphold their oaths truthfully, as false testimony undermines legitimate law enforcement credibility and constitutional protections for all individuals, regardless of immigration status.