Politics
Justice Department limits charges against ICE agent in Minneapolis shooting
Federal leadership rejected civil rights charges sought by a local prosecutor against an agent accused of shooting an immigrant through a door.
The short version
- Justice Department leadership in Washington blocked local federal prosecutors from pursuing civil rights charges against ICE agent Christian Castro for shooting a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis.
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans opposed the decision, informing victims' attorneys that Castro will instead face less severe false statement charges.
- Castro remains charged with state felonies in Minnesota, but he was recently released from a Texas jail after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined to extradite him.
- The Justice Department stated that charging decisions remain deliberative and that no final conclusion has been reached on the matter.
Key facts
- Main Justice leaders and the U.S. Attorney rejected plans to charge ICE agent Christian Castro with deprivation of rights under color of law for the January shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.[ProPublica]
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans stated in an email that he objected 'in the strongest possible terms' to the decision to charge Castro solely with making false statements.[ProPublica]
- State charging documents allege Castro fired through a closed door into an occupied home in Minneapolis, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg.[ProPublica]
- Initial claims by the Department of Homeland Security that agents acted in self-defense were retracted after video evidence contradicted their sworn statements, leading to dropped assault charges against the immigrants.[ProPublica]
- Castro faces Minnesota state felony charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon, but was released from a Texas jail after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott refused extradition.[ProPublica]
What remains uncertain
- A Justice Department official stated that the agency has not yet reached a final conclusion on the matter and is continuing to review all evidence.[ProPublica]
- Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty expressed concern that Castro may flee to Mexico following his release from custody in Texas.[ProPublica]