ICE Agent Charged with Lying About Shooting, Sources Say

Federal prosecutors have charged ICE officer Christian Castro with making false statements to investigators about the January shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis. The assistant U.S. attorney on the case says DOJ leaders in Washington blocked a civil rights charge over his 'strongest possible' objections.

• Castro allegedly shot Sosa-Celis in the leg on Jan. 14 by firing through a closed door.
• Federal prosecutors dropped earlier assault charges after video appeared to contradict agents' sworn accounts.
• 90 days: Castro spent that long in jail before Texas released him without honoring extradition.
• The fired prosecutor, Matthew Evans, is now under investigation for alleged grand jury obstruction.

Why it matters: The civil rights charge Evans sought — deprivation of rights under color of law — is the same statute used against Minneapolis officers in the George Floyd case and can carry substantial prison time. The false statements charge Evans says he was overruled to file typically carries a lighter sentence.

• DOJ said civil rights charges require review by its civil rights division and that no final decision has been made.

How 42 sources split on this story

Where they split: DOJ's anonymous source says the investigation is ongoing and no final charging decision has been reached; Evans's email, reviewed by ProPublica, says DOJ leadership directed him to file only the lesser charge over his explicit objections.

What’s next: Minnesota state charges against Castro — including assault with a dangerous weapon — remain pending.

• Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has said she is concerned Castro could flee to Mexico.
• Will DOJ ultimately bring civil rights charges, or does Evans's firing signal the case is closed at the federal level?
• What conduct forms the basis of the obstruction investigation against Evans?
• Will Texas cooperate with Minnesota's extradition request now that Castro has been released?