DOJ Weighs Charges For ICE Officer In Minnesota Immigrant Shooting
Federal prosecutors are weighing civil rights and false-statement charges against ICE officer Christian Castro over the January shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis.[1]
Castro is jailed in Cameron County, Texas, and a federal court is holding an extradition hearing Tuesday, August 25, 2026 to decide whether he must be returned to Minnesota.[1] Federal prosecutors are considering civil rights charges under color of law and false-statement charges under 18 U.S.C. 1001 based on alleged misstatements about the shooting.[1]
In January, Castro allegedly shot Sosa-Celis in the leg during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis.[1] Minnesota prosecutors charged Castro in May with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime.[1]
The Justice Department earlier dismissed federal assault charges against Sosa-Celis and another man in February after identifying materially inconsistent evidence.[1] DHS's initial public account and a subsequent FBI affidavit conflicted over who fled, who wielded a broom or shovel, and how many men attacked the officer.[1] Former ICE Minnesota field office director Todd Lyons said video review led to two officers, including Castro, being placed on leave for giving untruthful sworn statements.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- On January 2026, ICE officer Christian Castro allegedly shot Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
- Minnesota prosecutors charged Castro in May 2026 with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime.
- Castro is jailed in Cameron County, Texas; Gov. Greg Abbott has refused extradition, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has sued Abbott over the refusal.
- A federal court in Texas is holding an extradition hearing on August 25, 2026 to determine whether Castro must be returned to Minnesota.
- Federal prosecutors are weighing civil rights charges under color of law and 18 U.S.C. 1001 false-statement charges based on Castro’s alleged misstatements about the shooting.
- DOJ dismissed with prejudice earlier federal assault charges against Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna in February 2026 after identifying materially inconsistent evidence.
- DHS’s initial public account and a subsequent FBI affidavit gave conflicting descriptions of who fled, who wielded a broom or shovel, and how many men attacked the officer.
- Former ICE Minnesota field office director Todd Lyons said video review led to two officers, including Castro, being placed on leave for giving untruthful sworn statements.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time