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ICE agent Christian Castro pleads not guilty to federal charges in Minneapolis shooting

Federal officer denies lying to investigators about shooting a man through a Minneapolis door in January.

The short version

  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro pleaded not guilty to federal charges of making false statements to investigators about a January shooting in Minneapolis.[NBC News · ABC News]
  • Prosecutors allege Castro shot Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg through a front door and falsely claimed he was attacked with a snow shovel and broom handle, which surveillance video contradicted.[NBC News]
  • Castro also faces state assault and false reporting charges in Minnesota after returning from Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott had refused an extradition warrant.[NBC News · ABC News]
  • The Department of Homeland Security called Minnesota's state prosecution unlawful, maintaining that only federal authorities possess jurisdiction over the officer.[NBC News · ABC News]

Key facts

  • ICE agent Christian Castro pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of making false statements regarding a Minneapolis shooting.[NBC News · ABC News]
  • Prosecutors allege Castro shot Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg through a front door during Operation Metro Surge in January 2026.[NBC News · ABC News]
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott previously refused to sign an extradition warrant to send Castro to Minnesota.[NBC News · ABC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The Department of Homeland Security claims state authorities lack legal authority to prosecute Castro, asserting exclusive federal jurisdiction.[NBC News · ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.