Wisconsin Watch Fact Check: Was a Prairie du Chien sexual assault suspect released after previous criminal charges because of sanctuary cities?

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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.

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