UPDATE: A federal grand jury has indicted Carlos Jimenez, a 25-year-old resident of Ontario, on serious charges of assaulting a federal officer, with the indictment filed on November 18, 2023. Jimenez faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted, following a dramatic incident on October 30 that escalated quickly.
According to court documents, the incident began at approximately 6:30 a.m. when immigration enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Vineyard Avenue. Jimenez approached the scene in his SUV, leading to a heated exchange with the officers. An agent from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was present when Jimenez allegedly attempted to drive his vehicle toward them, a move that triggered an officer to discharge their firearm.
During the confrontation, an ICE officer, armed with a weapon, ordered Jimenez to leave the area. As tensions escalated, Jimenez reportedly accelerated backward towards the officers, prompting the ICE officer to fire at him. The bullet struck Jimenez in the shoulder, shattering a window in his vehicle. He later drove home and called for help, where he was subsequently arrested by the FBI.
Jimenez’s defense attorney, Greg Jackson, asserts that his client was simply attempting to navigate a three-point turn to comply with officers’ orders. He claimed officers had blocked Jimenez’s path, leading to the incident. Jackson stated, “Jimenez was not trying to run over anyone; he was trying to leave.”
Jimenez is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Riverside on November 25. Despite prosecutors arguing that he is a flight risk and a danger to the public, the judge released him on a $10,000 bond and mandated that he wear an ankle monitor.
The case has sparked significant public interest, raising questions about the use of force by federal officers during routine operations. Federal officials have yet to clarify why officers at the scene did not pursue Jimenez for medical assistance after the shooting.
As this case develops, all eyes will be on the upcoming court proceedings and any new revelations that may arise. The implications of this incident extend beyond Jimenez, as it highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the actions of federal agents in high-stress situations.
Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story.
