A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges of making materially false statements to investigators regarding a January shooting in Minneapolis. Christian Castro surrendered to authorities Thursday evening and was released on a $75,000 unsecured bond, requiring him to wear an ankle monitor.
The charges stem from the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national, who was struck in the leg by a single bullet fired through a residential door. Prosecutors allege Castro's statements about the incident, which occurred during a targeted crackdown on illegal immigration, were contradicted by video evidence.
According to the indictment, Castro and his partner attempted to stop a vehicle driven by another Venezuelan citizen. The driver fled, leading to a foot chase. Castro apprehended the driver, and a physical struggle ensued. Sosa-Celis and others then fled into a nearby apartment, closing the door.
Castro then drew his service weapon and fired one shot through the front door, hitting Sosa-Celis. Two women and two 1-year-old children were inside the home at the time of the shooting, according to federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors claim Castro told investigators he was assaulted by multiple individuals wielding tools, including a broom and a snow shovel, and that he was on his back when he fired. However, federal investigators dispute these claims, stating video evidence shows Castro was standing and that the struggle lasted approximately 11 seconds, not three minutes as he allegedly claimed.
Castro faces separate charges in Minnesota related to the incident and was arrested in Texas in May. His case has become a point of contention between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Minnesota authorities, with Abbott refusing to extradite Castro, initiating a legal battle over his fugitive status.