Crime
Weirton 13-Year-Old Arrested on Terrorist Threats Charge
The juvenile will be charged with the felony offense of “Threatening a Terroristic Act” and will face prosecution accordingly.
Weirton, WV – A 13-year-old female student from the 7th grade has been arrested on one count of felony Terrorist Threats, according to the Weirton Police Department.
The charge stems from a social media post where individual students were threatened. The juvenile is currently being held at a juvenile detention facility and is scheduled to be arraigned in Hancock County Magistrate Court on Friday.
Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney Steven E. Dragisich released a statement regarding the incident, stating that on or about September 11, 2024, the following message was posted on Snapchat: “I am coming for you guys. This is more people on my list.” The post then listed seven juveniles who attend Weir Middle School. Additionally, references to “shooting up” Weir Middle School were made in the conversation section of the same Snapchat account and were shared with multiple students.
Following a thorough investigation by the Weirton Police Department, the juvenile responsible for the threats was detained. The juvenile will be charged with the felony offense of “Threatening a Terroristic Act” and will face prosecution accordingly.
Prosecutor Dragisich expressed gratitude to the Weirton Police Department, the Hancock County Board of Education, and the Hancock County Prosecutors Office for their dedication and efforts in identifying and apprehending the juvenile.
The Weirton Police Department worked closely with the Hancock County Prosecutors Office and the Hancock County Board of Education during the investigation.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.