Sep 17·Geo
Follow-up Sep 18 Major4
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ICE Agent Castro Pleads Not Guilty to Lying About Minneapolis Shooting
ICE agent Christian Castro pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges of lying to the FBI about a shooting that wounded a Venezuelan man during a Minneapolis immigration operation in January. The case involved a months-long extradition dispute between Minnesota and Texas that ended when Castro was arrested in Minnesota in September.
Quick Facts
- Castro shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis through the front door of a Minneapolis home
- Castro made false statements to the FBI about the shooting
- Castro pleaded not guilty to federal charges
- Minnesota and Texas engaged in extradition dispute over Castro
- Castro was arrested by Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Christian Castro, a 52-year-old Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, pleaded not guilty Friday in federal court to six counts of making false statements to the FBI about the January 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a 24-year-old Venezuelan national, during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis. The incident occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale federal crackdown that brought thousands of agents to the Twin Cities and drew weeks of protests.
Castro allegedly shot Sosa-Celis in the leg while firing through the front door of a Minneapolis home. According to prosecutors, Castro subsequently told investigators he had been attacked with a broom handle and snow shovel before firing his weapon. Surveillance video and witness statements contradicted Castro's account. The bullet passed through Sosa-Celis' leg and lodged in a child's bedroom wall. Children were present inside the home at the time of the shooting.
The case triggered a prolonged extradition dispute between Minnesota and Texas lasting several months. After Castro was arrested in Texas in May on a Minnesota warrant, Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to sign an extradition warrant, questioning whether Castro qualified as a fugitive since the Department of Homeland Security had reassigned him to Texas following the shooting. Castro spent 90 days in a Texas county jail before being released on August 27 after a federal judge denied Minnesota's extradition request. Minnesota later sued Texas over the refusal and subsequently dismissed the lawsuit.
Castro voluntarily traveled to Minnesota from Texas and was arrested by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on September 16. He appeared in state court the following day on assault and false reporting charges and was released from custody. His bail was set at $200,000. Castro is suspended without pay from ICE and ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor and surrender his passport and firearms.
The federal prosecution marks the first Justice Department case against a federal officer for actions arising from Operation Metro Surge. The Department of Homeland Security has characterized Minnesota's state prosecution as "unlawful" and a "political stunt," asserting only federal authorities have jurisdiction. A civil rights investigation into the Sosa-Celis shooting has been opened. Castro's defense attorney indicated his client intends to contest all charges in court.
Why This Matters
A federal case against a U.S. immigration officer for alleged false statements to the FBI marks the first DOJ prosecution arising from a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in January. The case involves questions about officer conduct, witness credibility, and the division of jurisdiction between state and federal authorities. Criminal liability and civil rights investigations will affect policy on accountability for federal agents during immigration operations; federal-state jurisdictional disputes may influence future prosecutorial decisions.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 7, 2026
WireRenee Good fatally shot by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge (one week before Castro shooting)
Jan 14, 2026
WireChristian Castro shoots Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis through door of Minneapolis home during Operation Metro Surge
Sep 18, 2026
WireCastro appears in federal court and pleads not guilty to six federal counts
Nov 3, 2026
WireNext scheduled state court appearance
Related Signals
Sources
- Immigration Minnesota Castro Ice E07bf436eac361700d07a79a0fa800ffapWireSep 18, 2026
- ICE agent arrested in Minneapolis on charges of assault and false reporting of crimeThe GuardianMediaSep 17, 2026
- ICE agent appears in Minnesota court to face charges in the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrantNPRMediaSep 17, 2026
- ICE Officer Christian Castro arrested in MinnesotaFOX 9 Minneapolis-St. PaulMediaSep 17, 2026