ICE agent faces state assault, federal false statement charges in Minnesota

Suspended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro appeared in both state and federal courts this week in Minnesota for initial hearings. On Friday, Castro pleaded not guilty in a hearing before the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis on six federal charges of making false statements in connection with a nonfatal shooting during Operation Metro Surge. This came after he was released from state custody on bail following a preliminary hearing Thursday in Hennepin County District Court. After months in a Texas jail and controversy over the state's refusal to extradite him to Minnesota, Castro returned to the state on his own and was arrested Wednesday in downtown Minneapolis. He was booked into the Hennepin County Jail on an active warrant. 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. 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. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against Abbott for his refusal, but has since dropped that lawsuit." Democrats nationally, who criticized the federal immigration operation, praised Minnesota authorities for pursuing charges against Castro. "Thank you to Hennepin County authorities and Minnesota law enforcement for refusing to give up on accountability," said U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-TX. "But Greg Abbott still owes Texans and Minnesotans an explanation. For 90 days, he refused to extradite this agent. He let the clock run out and allowed him to walk free. Abbott failed to do his job. The people deserve to know why." Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty applauded Castro's return to Minnesota. "Gov. Abbott's attempt to shield Mr. Castro from accountability has failed," Moriarty posted on social media on Wednesday. "We look forward to commencing our prosecution." Castro has been released on conditional bail from state custody and was released on his own recognizance from federal custody.