A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer accused of shooting and injuring a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis has been arrested by Minnesota authorities on state assault and false-report charges. Christian Castro appeared before a Minnesota judge on Thursday, September 17, following his arrest in downtown Minneapolis.
The case involves separate state and federal proceedings and a dispute over where the officer should face prosecution. Prosecutors allege that Castro shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg while firing through the front door of a Minneapolis home and later gave investigators a false account of the incident.
ICE Officer Christian Castro Appears in Minnesota Court
Christian Castro, an ICE officer, was arrested Wednesday by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. He was being held without bond before his initial appearance in state court.
During Thursday’s hearing, Hennepin County Judge Paul Scoggin granted Castro bail. The judge set bond at $400,000 without conditions or $200,000 with conditions.
Castro appeared in an orange jumpsuit behind a glass enclosure. His attorney, Daniel Gerdts, declined to comment after the hearing.
The state charges stem from the January shooting involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man who was wounded in the leg. Prosecutors say Castro reported that he had been attacked with a broom handle and a snow shovel, but investigators allege that account was false.
Minnesota Prosecution Follows Dispute Over Extradition
Castro’s arrest comes after months of disagreement between Minnesota authorities and Texas officials over the state’s efforts to bring him back to Minnesota.
Minnesota prosecutors had charged Castro before he faced federal indictment. He was arrested in Texas in May on the state charges, but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott later refused to sign an extradition warrant. Castro was subsequently released in Texas.
He was later indicted on federal charges and turned himself in to federal authorities, returning to Minnesota.
At Thursday’s hearing, one condition attached to the lower bail amount was that Castro not contest extradition if released.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Castro’s court appearance represented a significant step in the state’s efforts to pursue the shooting case. Prosecutors allege that he fabricated an account to justify firing through the front door of a house where multiple people were present.
Federal Charges Also Accuse Officer of Making False Statements
Castro is also facing federal charges connected to the Minneapolis shooting. His next federal court hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 18, in St. Paul.
The federal case centers on allegations that Castro made false statements to investigators about what happened during the shooting. His defense attorneys have indicated that he plans to plead not guilty.
The incident occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis area. The operation brought thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities and led to protests, arrests and two fatal shootings involving federal officers.
The prosecution of Castro is described as the first Justice Department case against a federal officer for conduct connected to the operation.
Federal and State Authorities Disagree Over Jurisdiction
The Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security has criticized Minnesota’s prosecution of Castro, calling it unlawful and arguing that federal authorities have jurisdiction.
Minnesota officials, meanwhile, are pursuing their own state case. The dispute has added another legal dimension to the shooting investigation as Castro faces proceedings in both state and federal court.
The outcome of the two cases will depend on the evidence presented and decisions made through the respective court processes.
