Man shot by ICE in Patterson to stay in custody through weekend pending hearing
A man who was shot seven times by ICE agents in Patterson and then charged with assaulting the officers with his car will remain in custody at least until next week, a federal judge in Sacramento ruled Wednesday.
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, 36, whom immigration agents said they were seeking solely because he is undocumented, had been ordered released on bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire on Tuesday. But Claire put her order on hold for 48 hours while government prosecutors appealed it.
Now Mendoza Hernandez will remain in custody until at least Monday, when U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd is scheduled to decide whether he should be released pending trial.
A day after leaving the intensive care unit with wounds to his mouth, arm and side, Mendoza Hernandez appeared in Claire’s court Tuesday in a wheelchair. He was being held in the Yuba County Jail in Marysville while awaiting his hearing.
Mendoza Hernandez was stopped by ICE agents near his home in Patterson on April 7 while on his way to work. Two ICE vehicles blocked his car, and agents ordered him to get out. When he did not, they smashed his window and drew their guns, according to an FBI affidavit.
Mendoza Hernandez then tried to get away, driving his car forward. But he struck one of the agents’ vehicles on the rear driver’s side corner, and an agent fired at him. When he continued to lurch forward, coming close to another agent as he crossed the median, two additional agents opened fire.
He was shot seven times and remained in intensive care until the day before his court appearance at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.
He was arrested by the FBI and charged with one count of assaulting, resisting and impeding a federal officer.
In court Tuesday, federal prosecutor Jason Hitt argued that Mendoza Hernandez posed a flight risk and a danger to the community because he attempted to flee from ICE officers and came close to one of them as he drove away.
But because he had no criminal record, and did not attempt to flee until officers drew their weapons and smashed his window, Claire said Tuesday that he did not pose the type of risk that would require detention pending trial.
Moreover, she said, Mendoza Hernandez’ extensive injuries, as well as his ties to the community, would likely keep him in the area and ensure he appears in court. His behavior during the traffic stop was specific to that incident and did not indicate he was a flight risk or violent, she said.
Drozd appeared to agree that the events of that day are central to determining risk.
“It is the court’s preliminary view that, as framed by the government, the question of whether defendant’s release ... would pose a flight risk or a danger to the community turns solely on the events which took place on the morning of April 7, 2026,” Drozd wrote in his order setting the date and time for Monday’s hearing.
Drozd invited defense attorneys to submit two videos of the incident referenced during Tuesday’s hearing for review.
He also ordered prosecutors to file briefs by Thursday supporting their argument that Claire’s release order should be revoked.
However, even if Mendoza Hernandez prevails, he may not be released. Instead, he could be taken into ICE custody, potentially triggering additional court proceedings before any release.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 6:56 PM with the headline "Man shot by ICE in Patterson to stay in custody through weekend pending hearing."
