Crime
Richard Huguley Charged with Fatally Shooting Stepfather James Barnett in Salem
LEE COUNTY, Ala. — A 51-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his stepfather in the Salem community of Lee County.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Lee Road 126 at approximately 7:14 p.m. Thursday following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered 69-year-old James Barnett deceased in a chair located in the front yard of his residence.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jessica Henderson confirmed that Barnett suffered a single gunshot wound to the forehead.
Court documents indicate that the weapon used was a .38 Special revolver.
Following the initial investigation, authorities gathered evidence that identified Barnett’s stepson, Richard Lee Huguley, 51, as the primary suspect.
Huguley was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.
He is currently being held at the Lee County Detention Center pending an Aniah’s Law hearing, which will determine if he is eligible for bond.
Investigators have not released additional details regarding a possible motive.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with further information to contact them at 334-749-5651 or reach out to Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).
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.