DHS claims California man jumped onto an ICE SUV. Then the video evidence emerged: ‘hide the facts’

The Department of Homeland Security claimed a California man had jumped onto an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle during an operation in Woodland, according to CNN. But after reviewing footage of the incident, the Woodland Police Department said in a Facebook post that the agency’s account did not match the available evidence.

The incident happened when a 37-year-old Antonio Moreida was struck by an ICE SUV on a residential street in the Northern California city. DHS initially claimed that the man had jumped onto the vehicle’s hood before the driver applied the brakes, accusing him of pretending to be injured for the camera.

However, footage from a home surveillance camera, a bystander’s cellphone, and Moreida’s GoPro appeared to show a different sequence of events. Woodland police subsequently said their investigation had established that the SUV hit Moreida and that he had not jumped onto the vehicle.

Evidence shows otherwise

In its initial statement, DHS said an ICE officer had applied the brakes after an “agitator” jumped onto the SUV’s hood, causing the person to slide off. The agency also said ICE contacted emergency medical services and Woodland police, while suggesting the man was faking his injuries.

Woodland Police Chief Ryan Kinnan said the footage raised serious questions about that account. He described certain claims in the DHS statement as “inconsistent” with the video evidence reviewed by investigators.

The footage shows Moreida standing in the street as an unmarked black SUV approaches. He said that he had gone to the area after receiving a notification from NorCal Resist, a group that monitors immigration operations, and was trying to record the agents’ vehicles.

Surveillance footage appears to show the SUV turning toward Moreida, apparently trying to run him over, shortly before he is struck by the vehicle’s front-right side. The recordings then show him falling toward the ground, while footage from a bystander captures the vehicle moving forward before Moreida falls and rolls onto the road.

Ryan Schwank, a former ICE attorney and training instructor who reviewed the videos for CNN, questioned the agency’s claim that Moreida had been obstructing law enforcement. Schwank said the footage showed the man filming rather than blocking the vehicle from moving, adding that he was within his rights to record the encounter.

Moreida said the collision left him struggling to breathe after the SUV struck his chest. He was eventually taken to a hospital, where he said he received X-rays for swollen knees. He also reported bruises and cuts from the road.

ICE later changed its description of the encounter. In a statement to the outlet, a spokesperson said Moreida had chosen to stand in the middle of an active roadway and that officers had attempted to avoid him while braking. The driver remained near the scene and contacted local dispatch, according to Woodland police, who said the agent cooperated during the initial investigation.

Local officials have also called for accountability. Woodland Mayor Tom Stallard said the video evidence demonstrated a lack of truth in DHS’ statement, while Democratic Representative Mike Thompson accused ICE of having a history of trying to “hide the facts and mislead the public.” In a letter, he had asked the acting ICE director to investigate the collision, preserve evidence, and cooperate with local authorities.