Christian Castro pleads not guilty to six federal counts alleging he lied to investigators about a January shooting in Minneapolis during a major immigration enforcement surge, according to court proceedings Friday in St. Paul.
Castro, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, entered the plea in federal court after prosecutors said he shot 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg through the front door of a Minneapolis residence during Operation Metro Surge. Prosecutors contend surveillance video contradicts Castro’s statement that he opened fire after being attacked with a broom and a shovel.
Christian Castro pleads not guilty in federal court
During Friday’s appearance, the 52-year-old officer wore an ankle monitor. A judge allowed him to travel only between Minnesota and South Texas and ordered him to report any interaction with law enforcement within 72 hours. He was released following the hearing.
Castro had been held in Texas custody for about 90 days before his release last week. His detention was prolonged in part because Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined to sign an extradition warrant sought by Minnesota authorities. After his release in Texas, Castro was required to surrender his passport and firearms and to wear an ankle monitor, before being booked in Minnesota.
He faces both federal and state charges tied to the shooting. Prosecutors allege he made materially false statements to the FBI about the events surrounding the incident during Operation Metro Surge, an enforcement push that brought thousands of federal agents to Minnesota and led to widespread arrests. Authorities have previously noted the operation also included fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.
Minnesota officials and the Trump administration have disagreed over jurisdiction in Trump’s case. Federal officials assert that the matter falls under federal authority.
