Key facts
- ICE agent Christian Castro surrendered to authorities in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
- Castro faces state assault charges for shooting Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg.
- Castro faces federal charges for lying to investigators about the shooting.
- Castro was released on bond in Texas earlier this month with a GPS ankle monitor.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to sign extradition papers for Castro.
- A civil rights investigation into the shooting has been opened.
A federal immigration officer, Christian Castro, surrendered to authorities in Minneapolis on Wednesday to face state assault charges for shooting a Venezuelan man and federal charges for lying to investigators. The incident occurred eight months prior during a large-scale deportation operation in Minneapolis. Castro's lawyer stated his client intended to answer the charges in court and disputed claims he might flee to Mexico. Castro had been released on bond in Texas earlier this month, wearing a GPS ankle monitor, following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on charges of making false statements to investigators. This marks the first prosecution by the U.S. Justice Department of a federal law enforcement officer accused of wrongdoing stemming from the Minneapolis ICE deployment known as Operation Metro Surge. The operation was part of a broader immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump and led to protests and clashes between ICE and demonstrators. Castro already faced state assault charges for shooting Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg while children were inside the home. State charges also include false reporting of a crime, as Castro allegedly told superiors that Sosa-Celis attacked him, a claim disproved by video evidence. Initial attempts to arrest Castro were hindered when he returned to Texas, prompting Minnesota officials to issue an arrest warrant. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, refused to sign extradition papers, questioning if Castro was a fugitive as he had been reassigned to Texas. Castro spent 90 days in a Texas jail and was released on August 27 after a federal judge denied Minnesota's extradition request. He was re-arrested in Texas after a federal grand jury indictment in early September. The Department of Homeland Security has suspended Castro from ICE, and a civil rights investigation into the shooting has been opened. Castro was expected to make his first state court appearance in Minneapolis on Thursday and a federal court appearance in St. Paul on Friday.