ICE officer charged with assault in shooting during Minneapolis immigration crackdown
ICE Officer Charged with Assault in Minneapolis Shooting
ICE officer charged with assault in shooting – A federal immigration officer has been charged with multiple assault counts following a January shooting incident in Minneapolis, according to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. Christian Castro, the accused, faces four charges of second-degree assault and one count of making a false crime report. A nationwide warrant for his arrest has been issued, and CNN is examining whether Castro has legal counsel.
State Claims Officer’s Actions Were Defensive
Castro, an ICE agent, was not shielded from state-level scrutiny over his conduct in Minnesota, Moriarty stressed. “His federal badge does not guarantee immunity for criminal actions in this state or elsewhere,” she noted. “There is no absolute protection for officers who commit crimes.” If convicted, Castro could face three to seven years for each assault charge, alongside fines up to $14,000. The false reporting charge, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum of 90 days in prison and a $1,000 penalty.
“Mr. Castro is an ICE agent, but his federal badge does not exempt him from state charges for his criminal conduct in Minnesota,” Moriarty told reporters. “I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again: There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal officers who commit crimes in this state or any other.”
Shooting Details Spark Contradictions
The incident occurred on January 14, when Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis was shot through the front door of a Minneapolis home. State authorities allege the event was captured on city surveillance footage, contradicting initial statements by ICE agents. The video shows Sosa-Celis holding a snow shovel outside as his cousin, Alfredo A. Aljorna, approached in a car. Castro exited a second vehicle to pursue Aljorna, and Sosa-Celis dropped the shovel before retreating toward the entrance.
Aljorna lost balance during the attempt to reach the door, leading to a brief struggle with Castro. The footage indicates that after separating from Aljorna, Sosa-Celis helped his cousin back into the house. Moments later, Castro fired a single shot through the door, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg. The complaint highlights that four adults and two children were inside the residence at the time, though one adult claimed ICE agents remained outside and tried to enter afterward.
“The agents used tear gas, entered the home, and detained all four adults,” the state report states. “Paramedics were not allowed to treat Sosa-Celis until nearly an hour after the shooting, during which he was taken to a hospital.”
DHS Supports Federal Officers’ Defense
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended Castro’s actions, calling the state’s charges “unlawful and nothing more than a political stunt.” However, the agency affirmed its commitment to holding officers accountable, emphasizing that lying under oath is a federal offense. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating these statements, and officers may face disciplinary action, including termination, as well as potential criminal prosecution,” the DHS release stated.
“The men and women of ICE are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct,” the DHS statement added. “Violations of this sworn oath will not be tolerated.”
The charges followed the Justice Department’s decision to drop federal charges against Sosa-Celis and Aljorna in February. Initially, DHS alleged that the two had violently attacked an agent, prompting the use of a defensive shot. However, new evidence has challenged that narrative, leading to conflicting accounts under oath. ICE agents involved were placed on administrative leave, but the revised complaint now centers on Castro’s alleged criminal conduct. The case underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local jurisdictions, particularly during Operation Metro Surge, a Trump-era initiative targeting immigration violations in the Twin Cities.
