ICE Officer Faces Charges for Misleading Investigators in Shooting Incident

Christian Castro, an officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was released from the Carrizalez-Rucker Cameron County Detention Center in Brownsville, Texas on August 27, 2026. Media surrounded him as he exited. Federal prosecutors are charging Castro for providing false information to investigators regarding a shooting incident involving a Venezuelan national in Minnesota earlier this year.

The criminal charges have not yet been publicly disclosed but have been confirmed by a source with knowledge of the investigation. This represents a rare case where the Justice Department is pursuing accountability for actions of immigration officers.

During an immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Metro Surge in north Minneapolis last January, Castro allegedly discharged his weapon through a closed door, injuring Julio Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant. The operation came under bipartisan criticism due to allegations of misconduct, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens.

Initially, Castro testified under oath that Sosa-Celis had attacked him. However, surveillance footage contradicted this claim. Besides the federal charges, Castro is also facing assault charges at the state level in Minnesota.

Efforts by the Hennepin County attorney to extradite Castro from Texas to Minnesota for these charges faced legal hurdles. A federal judge in Texas recently denied Minnesota’s request to detain Castro as he awaited extradition.

This situation is ongoing, and updates will follow as new information becomes available.