Judge dismisses charges against 2 people accused of ramming vehicle of federal agents conducting Chicago immigration sweeps
Share this @internewscast.com

On Thursday, a federal judge decided to drop charges against two individuals accused of “ambushing” federal agents during an immigration operation in Chicago last month. This group included a woman who was shot five times during the episode.

U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis dismissed the charges concerning Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ruiz following an unexpected request from the Department of Justice to do so.

The dismissal by Judge Alexakis was made with prejudice, ensuring that the case cannot be reopened in the future.

Earlier on Thursday, the government submitted a motion requesting the judge to “dismiss the indictment” against Martinez and Ruiz. The two were involved in a confrontation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Chicago on October 4th.

Law enforcement officers during a standoff with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal officers in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Oct. 4, 2025.Jim Vondruska/Reuters

This incident sparked a series of street protests on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

Christopher Parente, Martinez’s attorney, expressed to ABC News on Thursday that both he and his client are relieved by the government’s decision to drop the charges.

“We appreciate the U.S. attorney being thoughtful in agreeing to dismiss this,” Parente said.

Martinez thanked the judge and “everybody that supported me.”

“I’m just grateful for everything,” Martinez told reporters after the hearing. “I’m just happy. I’m excited.”

Parente told reporters that Martinez didn’t deserve to be shot and that they are “going to work on getting her justice,” but for now are thankful that the prosecutors “did the right thing.”

Martinez, 30, and Ruiz, 21, were accused by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of being part of a convoy of protesters in vehicles that converged on CPB agents and rammed their vehicle during what the DHS called an “ambush.”

An October DHS statement said CBP agents opened fire on Martinez in self-defense, alleging she was “armed with a semi-automatic weapon” and was driving one of three vehicles that “cornered” and rammed the CBP agents’ vehicle.

A woman walks next to what appears to be smoke as U.S. federal agents (not pictured) detain people in the Old Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago, October 25, 2025.James Hotchkiss/Reuters

Martinez was later found to have a handgun in her purse, for which she had a license and a concealed carry permit, according to Parente. Martinez was never charged with any weapons offense in connection with the vehicular incident.

Martinez and Ruiz were both charged with assault with a deadly weapon in the alleged ramming attack.

DHS officials initially described Martinez, Ruiz and the other protesters involved in the incident as “domestic terrorists.”

During Thursday’s hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald DeWald consented to dismissing the case with prejudice.

“We are not seeking any technical advantage here,” DeWald said. “We do not intend to refile these charges.”

The decision by the DOJ to dismiss the charges against Martinez and Ruiz came a day after a federal judge in Chicago ordered the government to turn over to the defense additional text messages by the CBP agents involved in the incident.

During a Nov. 5 court hearing, CBP Agent Charles Exum, identified as the agent who shot Martinez, was questioned by Parente about text messages he sent to friends and family after the incident in which he appeared to boast about his shooting skills.

“I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book, boys,” one of those messages said.

When pressed by Parente about the text messages during his testimony, Exum said, “I am a firearms instructor and I take pride in my shooting skills.”

Parente then asked, “So you’re bragging that you shot her five times and gets seven holes, five shots? Are you literally bragging about this?”

Exum responded, “I’m just saying five shots, seven holes.”

Federal prosecutors initially claimed that Exum fired rounds at Martinez in self-defense, saying that Martinez drove toward him when he exited his vehicle after the collision.

During an Oct. 6 hearing, Parente claimed in court that he viewed a body-camera video from one of the agents involved in the incident that he said appeared to show the federal vehicle swerve into Martinez’s car.

“When I watched the video after this agent says, ‘Do something, b—-,’ I see the driver of this vehicle turn the wheel to the left. Which would be consistent with him running into Ms. Martinez’s vehicle, okay,” Parente said. “And then seconds later, he jumps out and just starts shooting.”

Parente also said Martinez is licensed to carry a concealed weapon and that the gun federal officials claimed she had during the confrontation with CBP agents was never removed from her purse.

In response to an ABC News request for comment about the motion to dismiss and Exum’s text messages, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated the agency’s previous statements, again calling Martinez and Ruiz “domestic terrorists.” McLaughlin did not address Exum’s text messages and referred ABC News to the Justice Department for information about the charges against Martinez and Ruiz.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Crook who stole $10K in trading cards from Tom Brady’s SoHo store is repeat scammer: NYPD

Notorious Scammer Strikes Again: $10K in Trading Cards Stolen from Tom Brady’s SoHo Store, NYPD Reports

A thief who managed to steal nearly $10,000 in goods from a…
ICE deports MS-13 gang leader who tried to 'game our immigration system' under Biden administration, DHS says

MS-13 Leader Deported: How Biden’s Administration Foiled an Immigration System Manipulation

An MS-13 gang leader from El Salvador, accused of exploiting the U.S.…
64-year-old Middleburg man arrested for possession of child sexual abuse images

Middleburg Man, 64, Apprehended for Child Exploitation Images: Disturbing Details Unveiled

Shawn Cirignano, aged 64, is currently detained in Clay County with a…
Woman charged in man's fatal stabbing outside upscale Long Island yacht club

Woman Faces Charges in Connection with Fatal Stabbing Outside Prestigious Long Island Yacht Club

A 33-year-old woman has been taken into custody by New York police…
California officer, 28, killed in violent crash during pursuit: 'Dedicated public servant'

Tragic Loss: California Officer, 28, Dies in High-Speed Pursuit Crash While Serving Community

In Los Angeles County, a somber mood envelops first responders as they…
Suspect arrested for murder of woman found shot in Mandarin gym parking lot

Suspect Apprehended in Mandarin Gym Parking Lot Murder Case: Justice Sought for Slain Woman

In a tragic incident in Mandarin, Jacksonville, authorities have apprehended a suspect…
Alabama Teacher of the Year arrested after video shows her beating son with belt

Alabama Teacher of the Year Detained Following Video Alleging Child Discipline with Belt

A teacher previously honored as “Teacher of the Year” at an Alabama…
Charge against Melodee Buzzard’s mom dismissed, ankle monitor removed as FBI hunts for missing 9-year-old

Charges Dropped for Mother of Missing 9-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard as FBI Intensifies Search Efforts

A California mother, previously charged with using a box cutter to unlawfully…
Man hospitalized after being shot multiple times on Jacksonville's Westside

Jacksonville Westside Shooting: Man Hospitalized After Multiple Gunshot Injuries

A man in his 30s is recovering after being shot multiple times…
Report: MN Somali Medicaid Fraud Investigation Reveals Terrorist Link — 'Largest Funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota Taxpayer'

Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Tied to Al-Shabaab: Investigation Uncovers Startling Connections

An investigation has uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving Minnesota’s Medicaid autism-care programs,…
Advocacy groups urge parents to avoid AI toys this holiday season

Advocacy Groups Warn Against AI Toys for Children: Holiday Safety Alert for Parents

Artificial intelligence toys, often marketed as educational and comforting companions, are not…
Putin calls dancing Russian robot 'very beautiful' in awkward AI conference moment

Putin Praises Russian Robot’s Aesthetic Appeal During AI Conference, Sparking Awkward Moment

In a notable moment captured on video, Russian President Vladimir Putin maintained…