Crime
Ashley Tucker Dies After Ex-Boyfriend Allegedly Sets Her Home on Fire Following Series of Threats
MILFORD, ILLINOIS — Authorities are investigating a fatal house fire in Milford, Illinois, that claimed the life of 37-year-old Ashley Tucker, a mother and grandmother, who had recently sought protection from her ex-boyfriend amid escalating threats and harassment.
According to investigators, the tragic incident occurred on the night of October 16, when Tucker’s home became engulfed in flames shortly after she received a series of menacing text messages from her ex-boyfriend — despite a no-contact order being in place. One of the messages reportedly warned, “You are going to burn in hell.”
Fire officials believe the blaze was intentionally set, possibly using a Molotov cocktail that was thrown through her bedroom window.
The back door of Tucker’s residence had been nailed shut following a prior break-in, also allegedly involving the same individual, leaving her with few options to escape once the fire began to spread.
Neighbors reported that Tucker tried desperately to escape the burning home, managing to flee with her dog after sustaining severe burns.
Witnesses said she emerged from the house with flames on her body and collapsed outside, where residents rushed to assist, using water to extinguish the fire until emergency personnel arrived.
However, response efforts were delayed, as the volunteer fire department reportedly went to the wrong address before locating the burning home. Tucker was left lying outside for approximately 21 minutes before paramedics reached the scene around 10:00 p.m.
She was transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where she was placed on life support. She succumbed to her injuries on October 20.
Family members said Tucker had lived in fear of her ex-boyfriend for months. She had filed for an Order of Protection but was too frightened to attend court proceedings, fearing he would retaliate or kill her.
Loved ones allege that she repeatedly reported trespassing and harassment incidents to authorities, but responses were limited due to severe staffing shortages in local law enforcement.
The Milford Police Department reportedly operates with only one part-time officer, and the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department provides intermittent patrol coverage, sometimes assigning a single deputy to multiple towns at once.
As of now, no arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains active, involving the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office, and state authorities.
Ashley Tucker is remembered by her family as a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend who loved cooking, bonfires, fixing things, and spending time outdoors.
She leaves behind two children, grandchildren, siblings, and parents, who are now calling for justice in her memory.
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.