ICE Agent Arrested in Texas for Minneapolis Shooting and False Reporting

Federal Agent Captured After Warrant Issued

A federal immigration agent accused of shooting a Venezuelan man and lying about it during a controversial Minneapolis enforcement operation was arrested Friday morning in Texas, ending an 11-day manhunt. Christian Castro, 52, faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in connection with the January 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis during Operation Metro Surge .

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators located Castro in Texas and coordinated with Homeland Security Inspector General agents and Texas Rangers to execute the arrest without incident . Castro has been booked into Texas' Cameron County Jail on his Minnesota arrest warrant , according to law enforcement officials.

Video Evidence Contradicts Official Account

The arrest stems from a shooting that exposed significant discrepancies between federal agents' sworn statements and video evidence. Initially, the Department of Homeland Security claimed Sosa-Celis fled a traffic stop, crashed into a parked car, and then struck an officer with a shovel or broom stick before being shot defensively . However, video released by Minneapolis contradicted this account, showing Sosa-Celis running toward a house but slipping and falling, while another man dropped a snow shovel and went inside .

According to prosecutors, Castro fired his service weapon at the front door knowing people had just run inside who presented no threat, with the bullet striking Sosa-Celis in the leg, passing through a closet, and lodging in a child's bedroom wall . Despite Castro's claims of being beaten by three men for three minutes, medical records show he suffered only an abrasion to his left hand .

Political Tensions and Federal Response

The Department of Homeland Security has called Castro's arrest "unlawful" and a "political stunt," arguing the case should be handled by federal authorities rather than state prosecutors . However, a DHS spokesperson acknowledged that lying under oath is a serious federal offense and that officers may face disciplinary action, including termination and criminal prosecution, as ICE agents are held to the highest standards .

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed satisfaction with the arrest, stating that "nobody is above the law, including agents of the federal government," and that Castro's alleged shooting appears unwarranted based on the lies he told supervisors . Castro is the second federal agent criminally charged for conduct during Operation Metro Surge, following charges against another ICE agent accused of pointing a gun at civilians' heads .

Broader Implications for Federal Accountability

This case represents a rare instance of state prosecutors pursuing charges against federal agents for actions taken during official duties. The state charges are likely to prompt an attempt to move Castro's case to federal court, though Hennepin County attorneys would still handle the prosecution if a judge grants that request . Federal charges against Sosa-Celis and his roommate were previously dismissed with prejudice after prosecutors said new evidence was materially inconsistent with allegations against them .

The arrest underscores growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local accountability measures. As immigration operations intensify nationwide, this case may set precedent for how state and local authorities can hold federal agents accountable for alleged misconduct during enforcement activities, particularly when video evidence contradicts official reports.