Arrest and Charges
Christian Castro, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, was arrested in Texas Friday morning in connection with a January shooting in Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced Castro faces charges of second-degree assault and falsely reporting a crime related to the nonfatal shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis. The charges triggered a nationwide warrant for Castro's arrest.
The Minneapolis Shooting
On January 14, during Operation Metro Surge, Castro allegedly shot Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national, in the leg. According to the criminal complaint, the incident began when ICE agents in an unmarked car pursued a man who lived with Sosa-Celis. The man attempted to enter the home on North Sixth Street and North 24th Avenue. Sosa-Celis exited the house and saw Castro struggling with the man. Sosa-Celis swung a broomstick at Castro, but did not hit him, according to the complaint. As Sosa-Celis and the other man tried to close the door, Castro fired through it, with six people inside, including two children.
Conflicting Accounts
Castro and another officer initially accused Sosa-Celis and the other man of assaulting them with a shovel and broomstick. The Department of Homeland Security repeated these allegations. However, video evidence released in February and April contradicted the agency's account. The federal assault charges against Sosa-Celis and the other man were dropped with prejudice after prosecutors said new evidence was materially inconsistent with the allegations. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated in February that two officers appeared to have made untruthful statements in sworn testimony, leading to their placement on administrative leave.
Official Reactions
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called Castro's arrest "a critical step forward in our prosecution." Minnesota BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said the arrest "represents the next step in a long-established legal process." Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison added, "That means nobody is above the law, including agents of the federal government."
DHS Response
The statement by DHS in response to Friday's arrest mirrored their earlier comments when charges were filed. It stated that actions by Minnesota politicians are unlawful and a political stunt. The agency added that lying under oath is a serious federal offense and that the U.S. Attorney's Office is actively investigating the statements. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face disciplinary action, including termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution.
Second Officer Charged
Castro is the second federal officer to face charges in Minnesota following Operation Metro Surge. Gregory Morgan Jr., of Maryland, was charged with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly pointing a gun at two people on a Twin Cities highway in February. Morgan turned himself in last week and was released on a $100,000 bond.
New Jersey ICE Facility Tensions
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Governor Mikie Sherrill announced the establishment of a protected peaceful protest zone outside the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark. The announcement follows days of tensions and reports of unsafe conditions and violence against detainees. Sherrill reiterated calls for Delaney Hall to be shut down, stating she and others were denied entry to the facility for days, "raising serious questions about what it's trying to hide from public view." DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that about "100 anti-ICE rioters gathered around the Delaney Hall ICE facility" the night before, assaulting law enforcement officers.
