UPDATE: An Ontario man, Carlos Jimenez, has been indicted for assaulting federal officers after a dramatic encounter on October 30, 2023. A federal grand jury filed the indictment on November 18, 2023, charging Jimenez with assault on a federal officer while allegedly using his car as a deadly weapon.
The incident unfolded around 6:30 a.m. when officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection were conducting a traffic stop on Vineyard Avenue. Jimenez approached in his SUV, reportedly warning the officers that their vehicles were blocking a school bus stop, a critical safety concern for children arriving shortly thereafter.
Tensions escalated when an ICE officer, armed with a gun, ordered Jimenez to leave. According to the indictment, Jimenez then “intentionally and forcibly” drove his vehicle toward the officers, prompting one to fire his weapon. The bullet struck Jimenez in the back of the shoulder, and he subsequently called 911, drove home, and was later hospitalized.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Jimenez is currently out on a $10,000 bond and is required to wear an ankle monitor. A judge released him on October 31, rejecting prosecutors’ claims that he posed a flight risk or threat to public safety. If convicted, Jimenez faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Jimenez’s defense attorney, Ayah Sarsour, asserts that he was merely trying to comply with the officers’ orders by making a three-point turn, not attempting to harm anyone. This account starkly contrasts the government’s view, which maintains that Jimenez’s actions were aggressive and reckless.
The indictment highlights a growing concern over the use of force by federal law enforcement. Jimenez’s situation raises important questions about the officers’ conduct during the incident, including why they did not pursue him for medical assistance after he was shot.
The next court appearance for Jimenez is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, in U.S. District Court in Riverside. As the case unfolds, it is expected to draw significant public interest, particularly regarding the implications for federal law enforcement procedures and community safety.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story progresses.
