Trump DOJ Blocks Civil Rights Charges Against ICE Agent in Minneapolis Shooting
Over the strongest possible objections from the federal prosecutor handling the case, leaders at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., blocked plans to bring civil rights charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Fifty-two-year-old Christian Castro allegedly shot a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis during a January federal immigration blitz, then lied about the incident, according to federal records reviewed by ProPublica.
The Minneapolis Shooting and the Investigation
The shooting took place on January 14 during Operation Metro Surge, a Trump administration immigration initiative that deployed thousands of federal agents to Minnesota. According to state charging documents cited by ProPublica, Castro and another ICE agent chased Alfredo Aljorna, a Venezuelan immigrant, following a traffic stop. Aljorna fled to a residence he shared with Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Both men made it inside the home after a brief struggle, and Castro fired through the closed door while knowing multiple people occupied the dwelling. The bullet struck Sosa-Celis in the leg.
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota prepared to charge Castro with deprivation of rights under color of law, a felony offense carrying substantial prison time. These charges mirror those brought against Minneapolis police officers involved in the killing of George Floyd. However, Main Justice officials intervened, overriding the local prosecution team.
Late on Tuesday, Matthew Evans, the assistant U.S. attorney leading the case, notified lawyers for Sosa-Celis and other victims to prepare for significantly reduced charges. Evans wrote in an email reviewed by ProPublica that Castro would face only a charge of false statements, which carries a much lighter penalty upon conviction. Evans added in the correspondence that he had fought the decision in the strongest possible terms, stating that his objections were ignored by leadership at Main Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Legal Defenses and Interstate Extradition Conflicts
While the federal civil rights case was scaled back, Castro faces serious state-level legal jeopardy in Minnesota. Local authorities filed multiple felony counts against him, including assault with a dangerous weapon. Following the incident, Castro left Minnesota and returned to Texas. Minnesota officials formally requested his extradition from Texas, but Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to cooperate with the request, according to reporting by ProPublica.
Castro spent 90 days jailed in Texas while the two states battled over the extradition request before being released from custody. He currently has an active arrest warrant issued in Minnesota. Finding robust legal defense is often the first step for individuals seeking accountability when institutional hurdles complicate criminal proceedings. Victims and their advocates frequently retain legal representation to pursue civil remedies when federal criminal indictments face political interference or bureaucratic resistance.
A Department of Justice official defended the agency’s internal review process, stating that civil rights charges necessitate consultation with the civil rights division in Washington. The official emphasized to ProPublica that charging decisions emerging from such investigations remain collaborative and deliberative, adhering strictly to the facts and law of each specific case. The agency maintained that it had not yet reached a final conclusion and would not rush any investigative process or the thorough review of available evidence.
Legal observers note that the civil rights division under the Trump administration has experienced staff reductions and rolled back several oversight agreements established during the Biden administration regarding local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Furthermore, an earlier analysis by ProPublica revealed that in nearly every instance where immigration agents shot civilians, administration officials publicly blamed the injured or deceased individuals within hours of the events. In numerous instances, local or federal law enforcement agencies declined to launch independent investigations into the actions of the federal agents involved.
The shifting legal landscape surrounding federal law enforcement accountability underscores the persistent friction between federal directives and local jurisdictional authority. As the false statement charges against Castro move toward a sealed filing in federal court, the broader questions surrounding cross-state extradition friction and federal charging discretion remain unresolved for the communities affected by Operation Metro Surge.