Crime
Amber Alert Issued for Two Young Girls Abducted by Suspect in Kings County Homicide
Do not approach the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
HANFORD, CA – The California Highway Patrol has issued an Amber Alert across much of Central and Southern California as authorities search for a man suspected of killing a woman in Kings County and abducting their two young daughters.
The Kings County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect as Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, 23, who is accused of fatally shooting the children’s mother on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Hanford, California, before fleeing with their children.
- Suspect:Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz
- Age: 23
- Height: 5’9”
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Brown
- Status: Considered armed and dangerous
- Vehicle Details:
- Make & Model: 2020 Hyundai Elantra
- Color: Gray
- License Plate: California 8LZD084
- Last Seen: Leaving the scene in Hanford, possibly fleeing toward Mexico
Missing Children Details
Authorities are searching for Arya Maldonado, 3, and Alana Maldonado, 2, who were taken by the suspect.
- Arya Maldonado (3 years old)
- Height: 3 feet
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
- Alana Maldonado (2 years old)
- Height: 2 feet 5 inches
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
The Amber Alert covers Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties, and authorities believe the suspect may be heading toward Mexico.
Anyone who sees Maldonado-Cruz, the vehicle, or the missing children is urged to call 911 immediately.
Do not approach the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
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.