Additional Coverage:
- Exclusive: Justice Department considers bringing charges against ICE officer in Minneapolis shooting (cnn.com)
The Justice Department is weighing whether to bring federal charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent accused of shooting a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg earlier this year in Minneapolis. This information comes from a source familiar with the matter and a DOJ spokeswoman.
A federal indictment would represent a notable development, as the Trump administration has historically resisted efforts to hold ICE officers accountable for shooting incidents.
Christian Castro, the ICE agent in question, was arrested in May after Minnesota state prosecutors charged him with second-degree assault and falsely reporting a crime. However, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has so far refused to extradite Castro to Minnesota.
According to sources, federal prosecutors could proceed with charges as soon as Tuesday. A lawsuit filed by the Minnesota attorney general seeking Castro’s extradition indicates that he might be released from custody in Cameron County, Texas, as soon as Wednesday. This tight timeline increases pressure on both federal and state officials to ensure Castro remains in custody.
A federal judge in Texas is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday to consider Minnesota’s request for immediate extradition of Castro. Efforts to reach Castro’s attorney for comment have been unsuccessful.
The Justice Department told CNN that no final decision has been made regarding federal charges against Castro. Emily Covington, the DOJ’s director of public affairs, emphasized that “U.S.
Attorneys’ offices are required to consult with the civil rights division in cases that may involve civil rights violations, as they possess the necessary expertise.” She added that any charging decisions are made through a collaborative and fact-based process.
Covington also confirmed that officials from the civil rights division have been in discussions with Minnesota prosecutors, though it remains unclear if charges will be filed. She described these communications as routine in ongoing investigations.
After the January shooting, the Department of Homeland Security initially charged the injured man, Julio Sosa-Celis, and another individual involved. However, the Justice Department later moved to dismiss those charges, acknowledging that federal prosecutors had provided incorrect information to the court. ICE also admitted that its agents had made false statements under oath.
The two federal agents implicated have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into their alleged untruthful statements, as revealed by video evidence. ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed this in a previous statement.
This story is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available.