logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Was a Wisconsin sexual assault suspect released after previous criminal charges because of sanctuary cities?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

There is no evidence sanctuary policies meant to shield people from immigration authorities freed Venezuelan Alejandro Coronel Zarate before he was jailed Sept. 5, 2024, on a sexual assault charge in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R.-Wis., claimed without evidence that Coronel Zarate was “released” because Madison, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis are “sanctuary cities.”

Coronel Zarate was never taken into custody in Madison. He was jailed in Minneapolis, but no charges were filed.

Nov. 16: Coronel Zarate fled before Madison police responded to a battery report.

Nov. 17: Identified as a Madison vehicle theft suspect, Coronel Zarate was arrested in Minneapolis and jailed.

Nov. 20: Coronel Zarate was released after Hennepin County decided not to file charges. "There was no consideration of external policies," prosecutors told Wisconsin Watch.

Dec. 1: Dane County issued an arrest warrant in the battery, but Coronel Zarate was never taken into custody.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
National Conference of State Legislatures What’s a Sanctuary Policy? FAQ on Federal, State and Local Action on Immigration Enforcement
WKOW.com Suspected transnational gang member accused of violence toward woman, child in Prairie du Chien
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Alejandro Coronel Zarate case
Rep. Derrick Van Orden Rep. Van Orden Joins The Ingraham Angle on Kamala Harris' Border Crisis Spreading to Wisconsin
Google Docs Rep. Derrick Van Orden email 9/24/24
Google Docs Madison police chief email 9/24/24
Google Docs Minneapolis police email 9/23/24
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Alejandro Coronel Zarate jail report
Facebook Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett post
Google Docs Hennepin County Attorney's Office email 9/25/24
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.