ICE Agent Pleads Not Guilty to Lying About Shooting Venezuelan Migrant in Minneapolis
- Federal immigration agent Christian Castro walked out of custody on Sept.
- The incident unfolded during a January immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
- The federal indictment paints a picture of outright fabrication.
Federal immigration agent Christian Castro walked out of custody on Sept. 4, 2026. Hours earlier, he pleaded not guilty in a McAllen, Texas, federal court to charges of lying to investigators about the shooting of a Venezuelan national.
Federal Agent Freed on Bond After Not-Guilty Plea in McAllen
The incident unfolded during a January immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. During his brief court appearance, Castro wore restraints on his wrists, waist, and feet before authorities ordered him released on a $75,000 unsecured bond accompanied by a GPS tracking anklet.
Disputed Claims Over a Minneapolis Porch Confrontation
The federal indictment paints a picture of outright fabrication. According to charging documents, Castro told an FBI investigator that a man picked up a red broom from a front porch and began striking him while the agent tried to detain another person outside a Minneapolis residence. Castro also stated that another individual struck him with a snow shovel, claiming he fired his weapon from the ground as the men ran away.
Prosecutors reject that entire sequence of events. Court filings state bluntly that no one struck Castro with a broom or wielded tools in the manner described.
Video Evidence Undercuts Initial Assault Charges
Investigators maintain that Castro had a brief physical interaction with Julio César Sosa Celis and another man before both individuals ran toward a home where a 1-year-old child was located. Standing outside, Castro fired through the front door as the occupants attempted to close it, striking Sosa Celis in the leg.
The fallout was swift. Those charges vanished after video evidence contradicted the agent’s account. Castro was subsequently suspended from Immigration and Customs Enforcement in February.
Defense Points to Military Background Amid Interstate Friction
Defense attorney David Lindenmuth urged the public to withhold judgment until his client presents his defense in court. Lindenmuth noted during post-hearing statements that Castro served in the military prior to joining federal immigration enforcement and has dedicated his career to public service.
Federal charges against the agent proceeded only after he was released from jail following a delay involving a Texas gubernatorial extradition refusal for Minnesota authorities.
According to an email obtained by the agency, a prosecutor assigned to the matter accused superiors of blocking efforts to pursue more severe civil rights charges against the agent.