Crime
Jake Haro sentenced to 25 years to Life for the murder of Emmanuel Haro
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Jake Haro, who previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his seven-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro, was scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Monday.
The hearing, initially set for 8:30 a.m., was postponed until 2 p.m., according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
Just over two weeks ago, during a felony settlement conference, Haro entered guilty pleas to second-degree murder, child endangerment, and filing a false police report.
Under the terms of his plea, he faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.
The case began more than two months ago when Rebecca Haro, Emmanuel’s mother, reported the infant missing.
A week later, both Rebecca and Jake Haro were arrested at their Cabazon residence and formally charged with murder.
While Jake has since admitted guilt, Rebecca Haro continues to maintain her innocence, having pleaded not guilty. Her felony settlement conference is currently scheduled for January 21.
A sentencing memorandum filed by prosecutors outlines Haro’s prior history of child abuse, detailing a 2023 case involving his young daughter, Carolina Haro. In that incident, Carolina sustained multiple rib and skull fractures.
Haro later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in county jail, with a six-year prison term suspended as part of his probation.
In the current proceedings, prosecutors have requested that Haro first serve the upper six-year term related to Carolina’s abuse case, followed by the 25-years-to-life sentence for Emmanuel’s murder.
Deputy District Attorney Brandon Smith, in his sentencing recommendation, condemned Haro’s actions in stark terms, writing:
“If there are lower forms of evil in this world, I am not aware of them.”
The court is expected to issue a formal sentencing decision following Monday’s afternoon hearing.
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.