ICE Agent Indicted on Federal Charges for Lying About Minnesota Shooting of Venezuelan Migrant
A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent has been federally charged with lying about the non-fatal shooting of a Venezuelan migrant in Minnesota during an immigration enforcement operation. [3]
Federal Indictment of ICE Agent
Christian Castro faces a six-count federal indictment for making false statements about the January 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. [3] Federal prosecutors charged the ICE officer with making false statements connected to the Jan. 14 shooting of the Venezuelan man in Minneapolis. [4] The Department of Justice charged Castro with lying to investigators about the events surrounding the shooting. [4] A federal grand jury in Minnesota returned the indictment on Wednesday. [4] The indictment relates to the shooting on 14 January. [3] Castro is accused of opening fire through the front door of a Minneapolis home and then lying about the events before the shooting. [4]
Disputed Account of the Shooting
Initial claims that the agent acted in self-defense after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle were contradicted by surveillance video. [3] The Department of Homeland Security initially said Castro fired in self-defence after being attacked by three Venezuelan illegal migrants with a shovel and broom handle. [3] Minnesota investigators allege Castro fired through a closed door, shooting the man in the leg. [3] Federal authorities initially accused Sosa-Celis and another man of beating an officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel during a confrontation. [4] The charges against the migrants were dismissed after surveillance video raised questions about the agents' version of events. [3] Prosecutors cited newly discovered evidence when dismissing the charges against Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. [3] In February, ICE said two immigration agents might have made untruthful statements about the shooting. [3] They were placed on administrative leave. [3]
Context of Operation Metro Surge
The incident occurred during Operation Metro Surge, part of a crackdown on illegal immigration that sparked protests and resulted in the deaths of two US citizens in confrontations with agents. [3] Castro was one of thousands of federal immigration officers deployed to the Midwestern state during Operation Metro Surge. [3] The operation sparked fierce protests. [3] The incident came amid the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration in Minnesota. [4] What followed was at least one night of unrest in Minneapolis. [4]
Castro's Arrest and Release in Texas
Castro was arrested in Texas in May, held for three months, then released last week after Texas Governor Greg Abbott declined to approve extradition to Minnesota. [3] Castro was arrested in Texas in May and detained for three months. [3] Minnesota's top prosecutor asked for him to be extradited to stand trial. [3] Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he did not approve the request because he had serious doubts that Castro qualified as a fugitive. [3] Castro was released from custody in Texas last week. [3] Under Texas law and barring extradition, Castro must be released after 90 days of detention. [4] Last month, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed an unsuccessful request for a temporary restraining order in an effort to block Castro’s release. [4] A federal judge blocked attempts by Minnesota to extradite the ICE agent from Texas. [4]
Separate State Charges and Investigation
Minnesota authorities charge that Castro fired through the front door of a home knowing people had run inside, with the bullet striking a wall in a child's room. [3] Minnesota officials have said the agent discharged his weapon through the front door of a home knowing there were people who had just run inside. [3] The bullet went through the door and struck one person in the leg, making its final impact in the wall of a child's room. [3] Castro also faces separate state charges of assault and false reporting. [3] In Minnesota, Castro faces separate charges of assault and false reporting of a crime related to the shooting. [3] The charges came after video evidence showed the officers may have lied about the encounter. [4] It is rare for the current justice department to accuse a federal agent of breaking the law on the job. [3]
What to watch next: Minnesota officials continue to pursue state charges of assault and false reporting against Castro while federal prosecutors maintain the six-count indictment on false statements.
