Report: Feds Charge ICE Agent With Lying About Shooting

An ICE agent who was freed after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott refused to approve his extradition to Minnesota on state charges now faces federal charges, a source tells the AP. The insider says Christian Castro, who allegedly lied about an incident in which he shot a Venezuelan man in the leg, has been charged with making false statements to federal investigators. Castro is accused of firing through a closed door during a January ICE operation in Minneapolis, striking Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg; video later undercut agents' claims they were ambushed, leading federal prosecutors to drop assault charges against Sosa-Celis and another man. Homeland Security admitted that its officers' sworn accounts "appeared to be false."

Federal prosecutors in Minnesota thought they were on track to bring a serious civil rights case against the agent, but Washington said no, resulting in the lesser charges being filed, ProPublica reports. Justice Department leaders in DC blocked plans to charge Castro with depriving a person of rights under color of law—a charge similar to those used in the George Floyd case, sources say. In an email to lawyers for Sosa-Celis and others, Assistant US Attorney Matthew Evans wrote that he had objected "in the strongest possible terms" but had been overruled by "Main Justice and the US Attorney."

Evans said the false statement charges, which carry a much lower penalty, would likely be filed soon under seal. "It has been an honor and a privilege to try to get justice for your clients," he wrote. Minnesota state prosecutors charged Castro with four felonies in May. He was arrested in Texas later that month. Castro remained in custody until last week as the two states argued over extradition. A federal judge sided with Texas after Minnesota tried to force Abbott to extradite Castro.