ICE officer charged with assault in shooting during Minneapolis immigration crackdown

ICE Officer Faces Assault Charges in Minneapolis Shooting

ICE officer charged with assault in shooting – Christian Castro, a federal immigration enforcement agent, is now being charged with multiple offenses following a January shooting incident in Minneapolis that involved two Venezuelan immigrants, according to Mary Moriarty, the Hennepin County Attorney. During a press briefing on Monday, Moriarty revealed that Castro has been accused of four counts of second-degree assault and one count of making a false crime report. A national arrest warrant has been issued for his apprehension. CNN is currently working to confirm whether Castro is represented by legal counsel.

Moriarty emphasized that the federal status of Castro does not shield him from state-level criminal charges for his actions in Minnesota. “Mr. Castro is an ICE agent, but his federal badge does not make him immune from state charges for his criminal conduct in Minnesota,” she stated in a

“There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal officers who commit crimes in this state or any other.”

The charges highlight a growing scrutiny of ICE operations in the Twin Cities, particularly during the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement efforts known as Operation Metro Surge.

DHS Responds to Allegations of Political Stunt

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement on Monday, disputing the characterization of the case as a “political stunt” by Minnesota officials. “The actions of Minnesota politicians in this case are unlawful and nothing more than a political stunt,” the statement read, while assuring that the agency remains committed to holding officers accountable for their conduct. The DHS highlighted the seriousness of the alleged false statements, noting that “lying under oath is a serious federal offense.”

According to the statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is conducting an active investigation into the incident. “Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face disciplinary action, including termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution,” the agency added. The statement also reaffirmed the high standards expected of ICE agents, stating that “the men and women of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct. Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated.”

Details of the Shooting Incident

The shooting occurred on January 14, when Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, was struck by a bullet through the front door of his Minneapolis residence. The incident has taken a dramatic turn since the initial reports, with new video evidence challenging the narrative provided by ICE. The footage, captured by a city camera at an intersection near the home, shows Sosa-Celis holding a snow shovel outside the building as his cousin, Alfredo A. Aljorna, arrives in a vehicle and approaches the house.

In the video, Castro, who was in a second vehicle, emerges and begins chasing Aljorna. As the two men engage in a brief struggle, Sosa-Celis is depicted stepping back toward the front door and placing the shovel on the ground. After Aljorna slips and falls, Castro jumps on top of him, and they have a short confrontation. The video then captures Castro getting off the ground and firing a single shot through the front door, which hits Sosa-Celis in the leg. The state’s complaint alleges that four adults and two children were present inside the home at the time of the shooting.

One of the adults, who was not named in the complaint, called 911 to report the incident and claimed that ICE agents remained outside after the gun was fired, attempting to enter the house. The agents then deployed tear gas, entered the home, and detained all four adults. It was approximately an hour after the shooting that paramedics were permitted to treat Sosa-Celis, who was subsequently taken to the hospital. The footage also indicates that the snow shovel remained on the ground throughout the incident, according to the complaint.

Operational Context and Legal Implications

The case is part of a series of legal actions against ICE officers tied to Operation Metro Surge, a prolonged immigration enforcement operation launched during the Trump administration. This initiative aimed to increase deportations and target undocumented immigrants in the Twin Cities, drawing criticism from local communities and activists. The recent charges against Castro mark another significant development in this ongoing legal scrutiny.

Initially, the Justice Department had accused Sosa-Celis and his cousin of violently assaulting an ICE agent, which led to the agent’s defensive shot. However, in February, the Justice Department dropped these charges, citing inconsistencies in the evidence. ICE subsequently placed two agents, including Castro, on administrative leave for making false statements under oath about the incident. The new video footage, which contradicts the earlier account, has become central to the current charges.

The complaint filed by the state details the sequence of events, including the use of a snow shovel and a broom during the struggle. Both Sosa-Celis and Aljorna told investigators that they each swung a broom at some point but never struck Castro. The video appears to corroborate these accounts, showing no evidence of the shovel being used as a weapon against the agent. The state is now alleging that the initial story by ICE was inaccurate, leading to the current charges.

Castro’s statement to the FBI, included in the complaint, is also under review. The details of his account may play a critical role in determining his culpability. If found guilty, Castro could face sentences ranging from three to seven years for each of the four second-degree assault charges, along with fines of up to $14,000. The falsely reporting a crime charge, classified as a misdemeanor, could result in a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The case has sparked broader discussions about the accountability of federal officers during high-profile immigration enforcement operations. Moriarty’s comments underscore the importance of state-level legal action in holding ICE accountable, even when the agents are operating under federal authority. “This is a clear example of how state prosecutors can bring justice to individuals regardless of their federal status,” she remarked, highlighting the lack of immunity for officers committing crimes in Minnesota.

As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the sequence of events leading to the shooting and the credibility of the statements made by the involved agents. The new video footage has provided crucial evidence that challenges the earlier narrative, prompting a reevaluation of the incident’s circumstances. With the charges now officially filed, the case could set a precedent for how federal officers are held responsible for their actions during immigration crackdowns.