ICE agent held in Texas over Minnesota shooting case

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, Christian J. Castro, was arrested in Cameron County, Texas, on Friday, May 29, and is being held without bond while awaiting an extradition hearing to Minnesota, according to Minnesota officials. Castro faces four counts of second-degree assault and one charge of filing a false police report in Hennepin County, Minnesota, tied to a January encounter during an attempted apprehension in Minneapolis.

Minnesota investigators located Castro near the Mexico border, and Texas Rangers arrested him at a home in Harlingen, officials said. Castro, 52, appeared in court on Saturday morning in Texas. It was unclear whether he has a lawyer.

The charges stem from a high-speed chase in January in which Castro pursued a delivery driver, Alfredo Aljorna, whom he suspected was in the country illegally. Prosecutors allege the chase ended at Aljorna’s home, where Castro tried to seize Aljorna after he slipped on ice, and the two struggled before Aljorna broke free and ran inside.

Prosecutors say Castro then fired a bullet into the front door, striking Aljorna’s roommate, Julio C. Sosa-Celis, in the leg. After the encounter, Castro reported that he had been attacked and that he fired because he feared for his life.

Video evidence and dropped charges

Following Castro’s report, Aljorna and Sosa-Celis were initially charged with felony assault. Those charges were later dropped after video evidence of the incident was reviewed and contradicted Castro’s account, authorities said.

Minnesota prosecutors filed charges against Castro on May 18. The case is being pursued in state court in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis.

Extradition and legal hurdles

Castro remains in Texas as the extradition process moves forward. Officials said he can waive an extradition hearing, which would allow him to be transferred to Hennepin County for arraignment, or he can contest the transfer. If he fights extradition, the process could require Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to make a formal request to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Prosecutors may also face procedural hurdles because federal officers typically have broad immunity from state prosecution for actions taken in the line of duty. Castro could seek to move the case to federal court and argue for dismissal on the grounds that the allegations involve on-duty conduct.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he was pleased Castro had been taken into custody and would stand trial for the alleged crimes. Federal officials, however, have characterized the state charges as a “political stunt,” while saying a U.S. attorney’s office is investigating perjury claims and that Castro could face disciplinary action, including termination, as well as potential criminal prosecution.

Officials have not said when an extradition hearing will be scheduled. The next steps will depend on whether Castro contests the transfer and how courts address any bid to move the case out of state jurisdiction.