NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedSeptember 4, 2026Miami-Dade
ICE officer Christian Castro surrenders to federal authorities on charges of lying about shooting
Federal immigration officer Christian Castro has turned himself in to federal authorities following charges that he lied to investigators regarding the shooting of a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis. The federal case follows separate state-level assault charges in Minnesota and a complex extradition dispute involving the Texas governor.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
The case highlights a jurisdictional conflict between federal and state authorities regarding the conduct of immigration officers during the large-scale 'Operation Metro Surge' in the Twin Cities.
Key Facts
- Christian Castro, an ICE officer, surrendered to federal authorities on Thursday.
- Castro is charged with making false statements to investigators regarding the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in January.
- Minnesota authorities have separately charged Castro with assault and false reporting of a crime.
- The shooting occurred during 'Operation Metro Surge,' a large-scale immigration enforcement effort in the Twin Cities.
- Federal prosecutors previously dropped charges against Sosa-Celis and another man after video evidence contradicted officer accounts of the encounter.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to sign an extradition warrant for Castro to be sent to Minnesota.
- Castro was released from jail in Texas last week after a federal judge declined to order his extradition.
- Federal prosecutor Matthew Evans was fired and is under investigation for alleged obstruction of a grand jury probe related to this case.
- The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota stated that Sosa-Celis plans to seek damages from the federal government.
- Castro was suspended from ICE without pay in February.
Who's Mentioned
personJulio Cesar Sosa-Celis“Victim of the shooting incident”otherOperation Metro Surge“Large-scale immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities”personMatthew Evans“Federal prosecutor fired and under investigation”personChristian Castro“ICE officer charged with lying to investigators and assault”personGreg Abbott“Governor of Texas who refused to sign an extradition warrant”personTodd Lyons“Former acting director of ICE”personRobin Wolpert“Attorney for Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis”