DULUTH — Prosecutors dropped a charge of assaulting a federal agent against 19-year-old Jose Espinoza-Espinoza after a U.S. District Court appearance in Duluth on Monday morning, Jan. 26.
The hearing took place before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois. The government did not present any witnesses to meet its burden to establish probable cause and instead moved to dismiss the complaint.
Espinoza-Espinoza was accused of ramming his car into a government vehicle and injuring an agent’s finger when he accelerated as the agent tried to open his car door on Jan. 16 outside a Mexican restaurant in Virginia. Three others in the vehicle when officers approached ran into the restaurant, according to the Department of Homeland Security's account.
According to the complaint, the car had been previously identified by U.S. Border Patrol in International Falls as being suspected of transporting undocumented people.
Federal agents contacted the Virginia Police Department, which responded to the scene to complete an accident report. According to the police department's report, the officer took photos of the vehicle and property left behind inside it. The mall property manager contacted a tow company, "as the vehicle was abandon [sic] and blocking traffic on mall property."
A spokesperson said the Virginia Police Department does not have a written policy on assisting other law enforcement agencies.
"However, when an outside agency is in the city limits of Virginia, the Virginia Police Department will assist them within the scope of the law," according to an emailed statement.
After he was detained, Espinoza-Espinoza allegedly told the agents he was from Guatemala and in the country illegally. The New York Times reported this raises the prospect that he could now be deported.
The Times also reported the case appears to be the first example of the Justice Department backing away from an assault case against a federal agent in Minnesota since the surge began.
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Events this week include a pancake fundraiser and curling watch parties in Grand Rapids, "MusiKaravan" in Hibbing, Bemidji Contra Dance and a symphony orchestra concert in Virginia. -
Plus: Northern, MN to become Northern MN's newest city; and 14 Northland athletes competed in the Alpine Ski state tournament Feb. 10, 2026. -
Contributed/BandcampBryan Odeen and Brandon Hepola, two of the organizers of a new benefit album for a Minnesota mutual aid group, joined "Headwaters" to talk about the project. -
Contributed/Alyssa Chen | Minnesota ReformerMinneapolis businesses are estimated to have lost $10 to $20 million in sales each week of Operation Metro Surge, which began in December 2025. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEAn administrative law judge ruled in favor of the township's petition to become a city while denying Bemidji's counterpetition to redraw its boundary around Lake Bemidji. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe School Board voted down the alternative schedule 4-2. In the coming months, the district will have to figure out how else to cut 12% of its budget. -
Contributed/Brainerd Public SchoolsThree rural Northern Minnesotans placed at the state alpine ski meet in Biwabik on Feb. 10, 2026. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Sam Miltich & The Clearwater Hot Club, In Stereo, Sugar on the Roof and Grand Holler. -
Andrew Dziengel/KAXE“Area Voices” hits the road to visit The Crossing Arts Alliance's 8x8 Art Auction and Fundraiser in Brainerd. Andrew Dziengel talked with the Executive Director Jennifer Jacquot-DeVries and participating artists. -
Contributed/Minnesota HouseDuran, a Republican from Bemidji, was first elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2024.
