Prosecutors in Minnesota have issued a nationwide arrest warrant for a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who is accused of shooting a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis during the federal government’s Operation Metro Surge earlier this year.
At a news conference in Minneapolis on May 18, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty identified the ICE agent as Christian J. Castro, 52. She said Castro shot Julio C. Sosa-Celis, injuring him in the leg, as ICE agents were chasing another man in north Minneapolis on January 14.
Castro faces multiple second-degree felony assault charges involving a weapon and one count of falsely reporting a crime, a misdemeanor, according to a criminal complaint.
Moriarty said Castro fired his weapon through the front door of a house where Sosa-Celis and others, including children, were inside. The bullet traveled through the door and struck Sosa-Celis’s leg before getting lodged in the wall of a child’s bedroom, Moriarty told reporters at the news conference announcing the charges. Sosa-Celis’ injury was considered non-life-threatening.
Moriarty added that, contrary to the Department of Homeland Security’s press release a day after the shooting on January 15, Castro was not hit with any shovels, brooms, or weapons of any kind at any time, as the federal agency described. Investigators said ICE agents surrounded the home after the shooting, deployed tear gas, and later entered the residence, taking four adults into custody.
Prosecutors say surveillance video, witness statements, and physical evidence contradict those claims, the criminal complaint said.
“A violent crime did occur that night, but it was Mr. Castro who committed it. He shot through the door of a home with many people, including children, inside, while fortunately missing several others,” Moriarty told reporters during the May 18 news conference. “Mr. Castro is an ICE agent, but his federal badge does not make him immune from state charges for his criminal conduct in Minnesota.”
Moriarty said ICE Director Todd Lyons acknowledged that two ICE officers lied in the aftermath of the incident, and Castro was one of them. When asked by reporters about Castro's whereabouts, Moriarty said she didn't know where the ICE agent is, adding, "there are also mechanisms out there to find him, and I feel pretty confident that we will get him in here to start this process."
The north Minneapolis shooting happened just one week after the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good and 10 days before ICU nurse Alex Pretti's fatal shooting by federal officers, both in south Minneapolis.
The Department of Justice has so far declined to pursue charges against any of the officers allegedly involved in all three shootings.
In response, an ICE spokesperson said in an email to USA TODAY on May 18 that these actions by "Minnesota sanctuary politicians are unlawful" and nothing more than a political stunt.
"Lying under oath is a serious federal offense. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is actively investigating these statements," the ICE spokesperson said. "Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face disciplinary action, including termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution.
"The men and women of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct. Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated," the statement concluded.
Minnesota prosecutor is ready for whatever happens next
Moriarty said her office is fully prepared for what happens next, calling the incident "a case of mistaken identity." Moriarty said Sosa-Celis was "lawfully" in the United States as the ICE agents were looking for undocumented immigrants. The agents were among the 3,000 officers from ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol sent to Minneapolis as part of "Operation Metro Surge."
The county attorney said Castro's defense team might try to move the case to federal court, but she maintained her office will still lead the prosecution. Should Castro be convicted, he will not be eligible for a presidential pardon, Moriarty added.
"There is no modern precedent for what happened here," Moriarty said.
Meanwhile, Michelle Gross, the longtime leader of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Communities United Against Police Brutality, who lives near where the shooting occurred, said she's ecstatic that Moriarty is taking action.
"We can’t allow for any kind of law enforcement to lie about their conduct and engage in this excessive force," Gross said. "We can’t tolerate that kind of behavior in this community, and I’m very pleased there may very well be some accountability in this case.
"And I look forward to similar motions raised in the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti as well," Gross added.
This story was updated to add new information.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ICE agent charged with shooting immigrant during Minnesota enforcement surge
Key Details of the Incident
- Date of the incident: January 14
- Location: North Minneapolis
- Victim: Julio C. Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant
- Injury: Non-life-threatening leg injury
- Charges against Castro:
- Multiple second-degree felony assault charges involving a weapon
- One count of falsely reporting a crime (misdemeanor)
Legal Proceedings
- Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the charges at a news conference on May 18.
- Surveillance video, witness statements, and physical evidence were used to support the case against Castro.
- The Department of Homeland Security had previously released a press release stating that Castro was attacked with shovels and brooms, but prosecutors dispute these claims.
Public Reaction and Implications
- The incident has sparked discussions about the conduct of ICE agents and the potential for misuse of authority.
- Moriarty emphasized that federal status does not grant immunity from state-level criminal charges.
- The shooting occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a federal initiative aimed at increasing immigration enforcement in urban areas.
Ongoing Investigation
- Law enforcement officials are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
- The case highlights the complex relationship between federal and state law enforcement in high-profile incidents.
- The national arrest warrant for Castro indicates the seriousness of the charges and the need for swift legal action.
Broader Context
- This case underscores the tensions between immigration enforcement and civil rights.
- It also raises questions about how federal agencies operate in local communities and the accountability mechanisms in place.
- As the investigation continues, the public and legal experts are closely watching how the case unfolds.
Moriarty said ICE Director Todd Lyons acknowledged that two ICE officers lied in the aftermath of the incident, and Castro was one of them. When asked by reporters about Castro's whereabouts, Moriarty said she didn't know where the ICE agent is, adding, "there are also mechanisms out there to find him, and I feel pretty confident that we will get him in here to start this process."
The north Minneapolis shooting happened just one week after the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good and 10 days before ICU nurse Alex Pretti's fatal shooting by federal officers, both in south Minneapolis.
The Department of Justice has so far declined to pursue charges against any of the officers allegedly involved in all three shootings.
In response, an ICE spokesperson said in an email to USA TODAY on May 18 that these actions by "Minnesota sanctuary politicians are unlawful" and nothing more than a political stunt.
"Lying under oath is a serious federal offense. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is actively investigating these statements," the ICE spokesperson said. "Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face disciplinary action, including termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution.
"The men and women of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct. Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated," the statement concluded.
Minnesota prosecutor is ready for whatever happens next
Moriarty said her office is fully prepared for what happens next, calling the incident "a case of mistaken identity." Moriarty said Sosa-Celis was "lawfully" in the United States as the ICE agents were looking for undocumented immigrants. The agents were among the 3,000 officers from ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol sent to Minneapolis as part of "Operation Metro Surge."
The county attorney said Castro's defense team might try to move the case to federal court, but she maintained her office will still lead the prosecution. Should Castro be convicted, he will not be eligible for a presidential pardon, Moriarty added.
"There is no modern precedent for what happened here," Moriarty said.
Meanwhile, Michelle Gross, the longtime leader of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Communities United Against Police Brutality, who lives near where the shooting occurred, said she's ecstatic that Moriarty is taking action.
"We can’t allow for any kind of law enforcement to lie about their conduct and engage in this excessive force," Gross said. "We can’t tolerate that kind of behavior in this community, and I’m very pleased there may very well be some accountability in this case.
"And I look forward to similar motions raised in the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti as well," Gross added.
This story was updated to add new information.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ICE agent charged with shooting immigrant during Minnesota enforcement surge
No comments:
Post a Comment