ICE Agent Charged with Assault in Shooting of Venezuelan Immigrant in Minneapolis
Christian Castro, an agent with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been charged by Minnesota prosecutors with four counts of second-degree assault involving a dangerous weapon and one misdemeanor for falsely reporting a crime. These charges stem from the shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis amid President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement efforts in January. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty made the announcement on Monday. Castro becomes the second federal agent to face charges related to this enforcement surge, during which Sosa-Celis was injured and two US citizens were fatally shot by federal agents. An ICE representative criticized the charges as "unlawful" and a "political stunt," while also emphasizing the seriousness of lying under oath.
Key facts
- Christian Castro, 53, charged with four felony counts of second-degree assault and one misdemeanor of falsely reporting a crime.
- Shooting occurred in Minneapolis in January during Trump's immigration crackdown.
- Victim Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, was shot in the leg.
- Two US citizens were shot dead by federal agents during the same enforcement surge.
- Castro is the second federal agent charged by Minneapolis officials in connection with the crackdown.
- Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the charges.
- ICE spokesperson described charges as 'unlawful' and 'a political stunt'.
- Senior ICE official said two federal officers appeared to have lied about events leading to the shooting.
Entities
Institutions
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Hennepin County Attorney's Office
Locations
- Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- United States