Federal prosecutors are charging an ICE agent with making false statements in connection with a shooting during Operation Metro Surge, according to an anonymous AP source.
ICE agent Christian Castro is also facing state charges for the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis.
Those charges include four felony counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime. Prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a duplex while standing outside and not under physical threat.
According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, the bullet struck Sosa-Celis in the leg before lodging in the wall of a child’s bedroom.
At the time of the announcement of those charges in May, federal immigration officials called Minnesota’s prosecution of Castro a “political stunt.”
An ICE spokesperson exclusively told The Center Square that the state’s actions were unlawful and defended the conduct of federal agents involved in the operation.
“These actions by Minnesota sanctuary politicians are unlawful and nothing more than a political stunt,” an ICE spokesperson said.
Yet, the spokesperson also said the U.S. Attorney’s Office was already “actively” investigating statements made under oath connected to the case.
“Lying under oath is a serious federal offense,” they said. “Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face disciplinary action, including termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution.”
Just last week, Castro was suspended without pay after being released from a Texas prison, where he had been held since May on a warrant for the Minnesota charges.
He was released after reaching Texas’ 90-day limit for extradition cases, which expired after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, refused sign an extradition warrant to send Castro to Minnesota.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, sued Abbott last week to compel him to sign the extradition warrant for Castro.
“You guys are such bad lawyers,” Abbot posted on social media in response to Ellison. “Minn. is the literal definition of a sanctuary state because you refuse to assist in enforcing immigration laws.”
A federal district court denied Minnesota’s request for emergency relief to force Abbott to sign the warrant and keep Castro in custody until he did so.
Ellison vowed to continue his efforts.
“This is not politics – this is not a game. There are traumatized victims in Minnesota awaiting accountability and justice. But Greg Abbott is playing the political game of turning Texas into a sanctuary state for accused felons and violent criminals,” Ellison said. “I will never stop pursuing Castro wherever he may be to make him face justice in Minnesota.”
It is unknown if Castro is yet in federal custody.