SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Federal prosecutors have filed assault charges against a California man who sustained multiple gunshot wounds during an immigration enforcement operation last week.
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez faces allegations of striking a federal agent with his vehicle and ramming into a law enforcement car following a traffic stop on April 7, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
During Tuesday’s court proceedings in Sacramento, U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire questioned the prosecution’s request to deny bail, stating: “This isn’t someone who is seeking out law enforcement to target.” The judge approved Mendoza’s release on $50,000 bond, determining he presents minimal public safety concerns or flight risk. However, she granted higher court officials two days to review or reverse her decision.
Appearing in court in a wheelchair just one day after his discharge from intensive care, Mendoza relied on a translator throughout the proceedings. He acknowledged the judge’s release conditions with nods as they were read aloud.
Following the hearing, approximately eight demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse displaying signs and shouting “Justice for Carlos” in solidarity with Mendoza. Passing motorists honked their horns in response.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE agents opened fire in self-defense when Mendoza attempted to drive toward them. The enforcement action targeted the 36-year-old in Patterson, located roughly 75 miles southeast of San Francisco.
Authorities have characterized Mendoza as a suspected gang affiliate sought for questioning regarding a homicide in El Salvador, though these claims were absent from both the court hearing and formal charges. The complaint indicates Mendoza, who holds dual citizenship in El Salvador and Mexico, was targeted due to his illegal presence in the United States.
Public defender David Harshaw argued for immediate release, emphasizing Mendoza’s clean criminal background and current physical limitations due to his injuries that eliminate any public danger.
Federal prosecutor Jason Hitt countered that Mendoza poses a flight risk, citing his failure to comply with officer commands during the April 7 incident.
Defense attorney Patrick Kolasinski previously stated his client became frightened and attempted to escape when ICE agents surrounded his vehicle.
“We are prepared to fight them,” Kolasinski declared regarding the charges.
Television station KCRA obtained dashcam video showing three officers positioned around a stopped vehicle. The footage captures one officer near the driver’s window as the car begins reversing and turning, striking a vehicle behind it. At least two agents can be seen with drawn weapons aimed at the car. The driver then accelerates forward toward the officers’ location before making a sharp turn across the road median.
The silent video does not reveal when shots were fired or any verbal exchanges that may have occurred.
Court documents detail how four agents conducted the traffic stop and Mendoza refused orders to exit his vehicle. With two agents positioned on each side of the car, one officer shattered the passenger window to extract him as Mendoza shifted into drive and moved forward, striking an agent. He subsequently reversed into an ICE vehicle before accelerating again, forcing one agent to jump clear.
Kolasinski maintains that agents fired upon Mendoza while his vehicle was stationary, prompting him to drive away from the gunfire.
“He is doing everything he can to not run them over,” the attorney explained regarding his client’s actions during the stop.
Kolasinski also challenges DHS assertions about an outstanding warrant for his client. He describes Mendoza as a laborer and father to a 2-year-old daughter who is engaged to an American citizen. While stopped for minor traffic violations, Mendoza has no U.S. criminal history and faces no arrest warrant in El Salvador, where he was cleared of murder charges.
Neither DHS nor ICE have responded to Associated Press inquiries about the attorney’s statements.
This incident represents one of several shootings occurring during the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts, which have prompted scrutiny of federal immigration agencies.
Mendoza required three surgical procedures to treat multiple gunshot injuries, his lawyer reported. Speech difficulties resulted from a jaw wound, and Mendoza denies any gang involvement, according to Kolasinski.
A court document dated October 25, 2019, from an El Salvadoran judge shows Mendoza was acquitted of murder charges and ordered immediately released. The document contains no references to gang membership or related criminal activity.
