ICE Officer In Minneapolis Migrant Shooting Released On Bail With Monitoring Conditions
ICE officer Christian Castro was released on $200,000 bail with electronic monitoring and strict no-contact and no-firearm conditions after appearing in Minneapolis state court on Thursday, September 17, 2026.[1]
Castro appeared in handcuffs and an orange jail uniform before Hennepin County District Judge Paul R. Scoggin.[1] Judge Scoggin ordered that Castro be barred from possessing guns, have no contact with victims or witnesses, and wear an electronic monitoring device if released.[1] As part of his release Castro signed a pre-waiver of extradition, agreeing to waive the right to fight being returned from Texas.[1] His lawyers said he plans to plead not guilty in both state and federal cases and that the defense is ready to fight the charges in court.[2]
On January 14, 2026, prosecutors say Castro fired through a front door during an encounter with Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis; the bullet passed through Sosa-Celis' leg and lodged in the wall of a child's bedroom.[2] Castro was arrested in Minneapolis on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after driving from his South Texas hometown to face the charges.[1]
Federal prosecutors have separately charged Castro with lying to investigators, and he is expected to appear in federal court on Friday, September 18, 2026.[2] Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the state has dismissed its lawsuit against Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's months-long refusal to sign an extradition warrant.[2] Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office's "commitment to accountability for Mr. Castro will be as strong as it has been from the beginning." New York Times
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday afternoon, September 16, 2026, ICE officer Christian Castro, 52, was arrested in Minneapolis after driving from his South Texas hometown to Minnesota to face charges (Christian Castro).
- On Thursday, September 17, 2026, Castro appeared in Minneapolis state court before Hennepin County District Judge Paul R. Scoggin wearing handcuffs and an orange jail uniform for his initial Minnesota hearing (Judge Paul R. Scoggin).
- Judge Scoggin set Castro's bail at $200,000 and ordered that he be prohibited from possessing firearms, have no contact with victims or witnesses, and wear an electronic monitoring device if released ( $200,000 bail).
- As part of his release conditions Castro signed a pre-waiver of extradition, agreeing to waive his right to fight extradition from Texas and to immediately return to Minnesota if he violates release terms, ending months of resistance (pre-waiver of extradition).
- Castro made his first Minnesota state-court appearance on assault and false-report charges tied to the January 14, 2026 shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis, in which a bullet passed through Sosa-Celis' leg and lodged in the wall of a child's bedroom (Julio Sosa-Celis).
- Federal prosecutors have separately charged Castro with lying to investigators about the shooting, and he was expected to appear in federal court on Friday, September 18, 2026 (federal prosecutors).
- Castro's lawyers, including Rolando Cantu, say he plans to plead not guilty in both the state and federal cases and that the defense is "ready to fight this case in court" (Rolando Cantu).
- Officials responded publicly: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office's "commitment to accountability" remains strong; Senior Assistant Joshua Larson warned Minnesota wanted to avoid prior extradition delays; and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the state has dismissed its lawsuit against Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's months-long refusal to sign an extradition warrant (Keith Ellison).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
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- On Thursday, September 17, 2026, Christian Castro made his first appearance in Minnesota state court in Minneapolis on assault and false-report charges tied to the January 14 shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis.
- During the hearing Castro, 52, appeared in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit and signed a pre-waiver of extradition agreeing to immediately return to Minnesota if he violates release conditions.
- Senior Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Joshua Larson told the court that Minnesota "has an interest in not being back in the frustrating situation we were in last month," referencing prior extradition delays.
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said after the hearing that Minnesota has dismissed its lawsuit against Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's refusal for months to sign an extradition warrant for Castro.
- The article recounts that the January 14, 2026 bullet passed through Sosa-Celis' leg and lodged in the wall of a child's bedroom after Castro allegedly fired through a front door as Sosa-Celis fled.
- It notes that federal prosecutors have separately charged Castro with lying to investigators about the shooting, and he is expected to appear in federal court on Friday, September 18, 2026.
- Castro's lawyers, including Rolando Cantu, say he plans to plead not guilty in both the state and federal cases and that the defense is "ready to fight this case in court."
- On Wednesday afternoon, September 16, 2026, ICE officer Christian Castro, 52, was arrested in Minneapolis after driving from his South Texas hometown to Minnesota to face charges.
- On Thursday, September 17, 2026, Castro appeared before Hennepin County District Judge Paul R. Scoggin wearing handcuffs and an orange jail uniform for his initial Minnesota court hearing.
- Judge Scoggin set Castro's bail at $200,000 and ordered that he be prohibited from possessing firearms, have no contact with victims or witnesses, and wear an electronic monitoring device if released.
- As part of the release conditions, Castro agreed to waive his right to fight extradition from Texas, ending months of resistance to being brought to Minnesota.
- Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty told reporters after the hearing that her office's "commitment to accountability for Mr. Castro will be as strong as it has been from the beginning."