The Justice Department is currently evaluating the possibility of bringing federal charges against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro. Castro is accused of shooting an illegal immigrant, Julio Sosa-Celis, in the leg during a January incident in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
State and federal actions
State prosecutors in Minnesota have already filed second‑degree assault and false‑reporting charges against Castro, leading to his arrest in May. However, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declined to extradite Castro to Minnesota, keeping him in custody in Cameron County, Texas.
A source familiar with the deliberations told CNN that federal prosecutors could move forward with charges as early as Tuesday. If a federal indictment proceeds, Castro could be released from custody in Texas as soon as Wednesday, according to a lawsuit filed by the Minnesota attorney general seeking his extradition.
Justice Department process
Emily Covington, director of public affairs for the Justice Department, said that any potential civil‑rights charge would involve consultation with the department’s Civil Rights Division, which provides subject‑matter expertise. She emphasized that charging decisions are collaborative, deliberative, and based on the facts and law of the specific case.
Covington noted that conversations between the Civil Rights Division and Minnesota prosecutors are a standard part of ongoing investigations, but she did not confirm what specific federal charge, if any, will be filed.
Related federal actions
Following the same shooting, the Department of Homeland Security charged the injured man and another individual involved. In a later development, the Justice Department filed a motion to drop criminal charges against those two men, citing incorrect information provided to the court. ICE also admitted that its agents made false statements under oath, leading to administrative leave for the two agents while the department investigates the untruthful statements uncovered through video review.
The situation underscores the complex interplay between state and federal jurisdictions in immigration‑related incidents and highlights ongoing scrutiny of ICE conduct.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
