UPDATE: A federal grand jury has just indicted Carlos Jimenez, a 25-year-old resident of Ontario, on charges of assaulting a federal officer using a deadly weapon. This urgent development comes three weeks after an officer shot Jimenez as he allegedly backed his car towards them during a tense encounter.
The indictment, filed on November 18, 2023, carries significant consequences. If convicted, Jimenez could face up to 20 years in federal prison. The incident occurred on October 30, 2023, at approximately 6:30 a.m., when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were engaged in an unrelated traffic stop on Vineyard Avenue.
Witnesses report that Jimenez approached the officers to inform them they were obstructing a school bus stop. Tensions escalated when an ICE officer confronted him with a firearm, ordering him to leave. According to Jimenez’s attorney, Ayah Sarsour, he was merely trying to comply with the officers’ instructions when he attempted a three-point turn.
Federal officials allege that Jimenez intentionally drove his Lexus SUV towards the officers after a verbal altercation, leading one officer to fear for her safety. The officer discharged her weapon, shattering Jimenez’s rear passenger window and striking him in the back. After being shot, Jimenez reportedly drove home before calling 911. He was later arrested by the FBI at a local hospital.
Despite the serious charges, Jimenez remains out of custody after posting a $10,000 bond, with the court ordering him to wear an ankle monitor. Prosecutors had sought to detain him, citing flight risk and public safety concerns, but the judge denied their request.
The legal proceedings are set to continue, with Jimenez scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Tuesday, November 25. The public is watching closely as this case unfolds, amidst questions surrounding the officers’ actions before and after the shooting.
This incident raises critical discussions about the use of force by law enforcement and the implications for community relations, especially in immigration enforcement contexts. As the details emerge, the case will likely attract significant media attention and public interest.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
