ICE officer arrested ahead of state, federal hearings over Metro Surge shooting

Suspended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro was arrested Wednesday by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension ahead of state and federal hearings in Minnesota. The bureau announced in a statement on social media that Castro was arrested in downtown Minneapolis and booked into the Hennepin County Jail on an active warrant. He remains jailed without bond. Castro faces state charges stemming from the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. The charges include four felony counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime. Prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a duplex while standing outside and not under physical threat. According to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, the bullet struck Sosa-Celis in the leg before lodging in the wall of a child's bedroom. Earlier this month, federal prosecutors announced that Castro would also face a federal charge of making false statements in connection with the shooting during Operation Metro Surge. Castro has a hearing in state court on Thursday afternoon for the state charges. On Friday, he'll appear in the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis for the federal charge. At the time of the announcement of the state charges in May, federal immigration officials called Minnesota's prosecution of Castro a "political stunt." An ICE spokesperson told The Center Square in an email that the state's actions were unlawful and defended the conduct of federal agents involved in the operation. "These actions by Minnesota sanctuary politicians are unlawful and nothing more than a political stunt," the ICE spokesperson said. Yet, the spokesperson also said the U.S. Attorney's Office was already "actively" investigating statements made under oath connected to the case. "Lying under oath is a serious federal offense," they said. "Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face disciplinary action, including termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution." In August, Castro was suspended without pay after being released from a Texas prison, where he had been held since May on a warrant for the Minnesota charges. He was released after reaching Texas' 90-day limit for extradition cases, which expired after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, did not sign an extradition warrant to send Castro to Minnesota. Castro's defense attorneys have previously said he intends to plead not guilty in the federal case.