Date: September 18, 2026
Source: CNN
Topic: ICE, Minneapolis Shooting, Federal Charges, Immigration Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro pleaded not guilty Friday to six federal charges accusing him of making false statements to the FBI about a January shooting in Minneapolis that wounded a Venezuelan man. Castro appeared in federal court in St. Paul and was released under a $75,000 bond with conditions.
The case centers on the January 14 shooting of 24-year-old Julio Sosa-Celis during Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration enforcement campaign in Minnesota. Prosecutors allege Castro fired through the closed front door of Sosa-Celis’ home, striking him in the leg. Sosa-Celis survived the shooting.
According to the federal indictment, Castro told investigators that he had been attacked with a broom and a snow shovel before he fired his weapon. Prosecutors allege that he made six materially false statements to an FBI agent. Video evidence later became central to the case, with prosecutors saying it contradicted important parts of Castro’s account.
The incident initially resulted in Sosa-Celis and his roommate, Alfredo Aljorna, being accused of assaulting a federal agent. Those charges were later dropped after surveillance video was obtained. Minnesota prosecutors subsequently filed state charges against Castro, including four counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of falsely reporting a crime.
Castro, 52, appeared in Minnesota state court one day before his federal hearing. A state judge set his bail at $200,000 with conditions, including electronic monitoring, surrender of his passport and restrictions on contact with witnesses. His federal case carries six counts of making materially false statements.
The case followed a months-long dispute over Castro’s return to Minnesota. He had been held in Texas for about 90 days while Minnesota sought his extradition. After his release from the Texas jail, he returned to Minnesota and was arrested by state authorities in Minneapolis.
Castro has been suspended without pay from ICE, according to Reuters. His federal case is continuing, and the allegations against him have not been proven in court.
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Date: September 18, 2026
Source: CNN
Topic: ICE, Minneapolis Shooting, Federal Charges, Immigration Enforcement
