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Christian Castro, 52, is the first federal immigration officer to be prosecuted by the Justice Department for actions that occurred during Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities.
On Thursday, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro made his first appearance in state court in Minneapolis in connection with the January shooting of a Venezuelan man during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation that brought thousands of agents to the Twin Cities area. Following Castro’s court hearing, Minneapolis officials held a news conference to address the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis. Castro faces charges in connection with the January shooting. LiveNOW’s Anna Marsick brings FOX 9 Minneapolis’ Karen Scullin into the conversation to discuss the latest developments.
Christian Castro’s arrest came eight months after a confrontation that became a flashpoint over President Trump’s immigrant deportation sweeps.
The case against Christian Castro is unprecedented in President Donald Trump’s second term, as ICE agents face little fallout from shootings of protestors and others.
Christian Castro is facing federal charges for allegedly lying about events leading up to the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis earlier this year, an indictment shows. He turned himself in on Thursday and is set to appear in court Friday. CNN’s Whitney Wild reports.
The federal indictment against Christian Castro marked a rare instance of the Trump administration seeking to hold an immigration agent accountable for actions taken while on duty.
Christian Castro was sent to the city as part of the immigration and fraud enforcement crackdown there that attracted national scrutiny over the deaths of two anti-ICE protesters.
A federal prosecutor in Minnesota was dismissed while probing an ICE officer for civil rights violations, reportedly for suspected leaking.
PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans was fired while investigating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Christian Castro for potential civil rights violations following a shooting incident involving a Venezuelan immigrant in Minnesota. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Castro with making false statements, though the indictment remains sealed as of the time of publication. KEY QUOTE: “This is being directed by the Main Justice and the U.S. Attorney,” Evans reportedly wrote in an email, adding: “I objected in the strongest possible terms and fought it as hard as I could. It wasn’t enough.” DETAIL: Evans had reportedly informed attorneys for the shooting victim, Julio Cesar…Open
In addition to the new federal charge, the officer faces charges from Minnesota authorities of assault and false reporting of a crime.
Prosecutors allege that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro, who was previously charged in state court, shot and wounded Julio C. Sosa-Celis, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.