Crime
Where is Francisco Javier Ochoa? suspect charged in fatal shooting of 24-year-old Joselyn Espinoza
He is now in custody.
UDATE: Francisco Javier Ochoa, 19, charged with manslaughter in Sunday’s fatal shooting of Joselyn Espinoza, surrendered to Harris County Sheriff’s Office this evening. He is now in custody.
Houston police have charged 19-year-old Francisco Javier Ochoa with manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Joselyn Espinoza.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of September 15th when Espinoza was found suffering from a gunshot wound at St. Joseph Medical Center. Despite being transported to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Initial investigations were unable to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting or its location. However, through further investigation, authorities identified Ochoa as the suspect and discovered that the crime took place in a motel parking lot in the 15000 block of Mesa Drive.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence and subsequently filed charges against Ochoa.
Ochoa remains at large.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts or the incident itself is urged to contact the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. All tips will remain anonymous.
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 subjectโs 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. Attorneyโs Office.