A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer formally entered a not guilty plea on Friday to accusations of providing false information concerning the January shooting of a Venezuelan individual in Minneapolis. The incident took place during a period of heightened immigration enforcement under the previous presidential administration.
Christian Castro appeared in a federal court in Texas, where he is confronting six counts of making "materially false" statements to federal investigators, according to court documents that were unsealed on Friday. He voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Thursday evening.
A judge subsequently ordered Castro's release on an unsecured bond of $75,000, with the condition that he wear an ankle monitor.
Details of the January Incident
The charges against Castro originate from a January 14 event where Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Moments before the shooting, Castro and his partner attempted to interdict a vehicle.
The driver, also identified as a Venezuelan citizen, reportedly fled the scene, leading to a foot pursuit.
According to the indictment, Castro reportedly caught up to the driver, and a physical altercation ensued. Sosa-Celis then allegedly intervened to assist the driver, and both individuals subsequently retreated into a nearby apartment duplex, closing the door behind them.
Federal prosecutors assert that Castro then discharged his service weapon, firing a single shot through the front door, which struck Sosa-Celis in the leg.
At the time of the shooting, two women and two one-year-old children were present inside the residence, prosecutors added.
Disputed Account and Legal Fallout
In what investigators describe as an attempt to justify his actions, Castro allegedly informed authorities that he had been subjected to a severe assault by multiple individuals using various objects, specifically claiming he was struck with both a broom and a snow shovel during the confrontation. He also reportedly stated that he was on his back when he discharged his firearm toward the men as they fled, according to officials.
However, subsequent video evidence reportedly contradicted these assertions, prompting a federal investigation. Prosecutors indicate that the video footage shows Castro was standing upright when he fired his weapon. They also contested his claim of a three-minute struggle with the suspect on the ground, noting that the actual physical engagement lasted approximately 11 seconds.
This shooting occurred amidst a period of intensified federal efforts to enforce immigration laws in the Minneapolis area.
Castro is also facing separate charges in Minnesota and was previously taken into custody in Texas in May.
His ongoing legal situation has led to a dispute involving Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has declined requests to extradite Castro to Minnesota for the separate charges.
