Minnesota Charges ICE Officer in January Minneapolis Shooting
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MINNEAPOLIS. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday that her office charged ICE agent Christian Castro with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis during Operation Metro Surge, and a nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The charges follow earlier federal actions that included prosecution and later dismissal of charges against Sosa-Celis and his roommate after video evidence emerged; federal officials opened investigations into officers’ testimony, the city released security camera footage last month, and the state action adds a separate criminal accountability track this week.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Jan. 7 (one week before Jan. 14) — An ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good in south Minneapolis, sparking protests.
- 2. Jan. 14 — During Operation Metro Surge, Julio Sosa-Celis was shot in the thigh by a federal officer in north Minneapolis.
- 3. After Jan. 14 — Federal authorities charged Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna with assault; mug shots were publicized.
- 4. Subsequently — A federal judge dismissed charges against Sosa-Celis and Aljorna and federal officials investigated whether officers lied under oath.
- 5. This week — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced state charges against ICE agent Christian Castro and a nationwide arrest warrant was issued.
Why it matters
This case is about accountability in law enforcement. It's a reminder that officers, even federal ones, can face charges for their actions. If you're concerned about police conduct, keep an eye on this case. It could set a precedent.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
