Federal authorities have charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Christian Castro for allegedly lying during an investigation related to a shooting incident in Minnesota involving a Venezuelan man. The criminal case, while confirmed by a reliable source, remains non-public due to an ongoing investigation.
Prosecutors are holding Castro accountable in a rare move where the Justice Department aims to enforce accountability among immigration officers. The incident occurred in January during Operation Metro Surge, a widespread immigration crackdown across Minnesota. Officer Castro allegedly fired through a closed door, injuring Julio Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, in the leg.
Reports indicate that immigration officers faced bipartisan criticism during the operation, especially considering the fatalities of two U.S. citizens. Castro maintained under oath that Sosa-Celis had attacked him, but surveillance footage contradicted his statement.
In addition to federal charges, Castro is facing separate state-level assault accusations in Minnesota. The Hennepin County attorney requested Castro’s extradition from Texas to face these charges. However, a federal judge in Texas recently denied the request to hold Castro in jail pending his extradition.
This situation continues to develop as authorities work through legal proceedings.
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