Federal charges have been dropped against two men who had been charged with assaulting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis last month, including one Venezuelan defendant who was shot in the leg by an officer. The Justice Department's motion cited "newly discovered evidence" that was "materially inconsistent" with the allegations against them.

The filing, entered Thursday by U.S. Attorney in Minnesota Daniel Rosen, moved to dismiss the charges against the men with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be reintroduced. On Friday, a judge granted the request.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Friday that two officers have been placed on administrative leave after a review of video evidence indicated they provided "untruthful statements" in their sworn testimony.

"Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution," Lyons said.

In January, the two men, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, were charged in a federal criminal complaint with forcibly assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers in performance of their official duties. The charges came after Sosa-Celis was shot by an ICE officer, which drew nationwide attention amid the federal immigration surge in Minnesota.

From early on, the government's account of the alleged assault was not consistent.


>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-drops-charges-assaulting-ice-officers-inconsistent-evidence/