DOJ downgrades civil rights charge against ICE agent in Minneapolis shooting
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota objected to the decision to replace a serious civil rights count with a False Statements charge, citing internal direction from Washington.
The Department of Justice has blocked plans to bring civil rights charges against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro, who allegedly shot Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis in January. The decision downgrades the potential charge to False Statements, a count that carries a significantly less severe penalty than the original deprivation of rights under colour of law allegation.
Federal prosecutor Matthew Evans, the assistant United States attorney in Minnesota responsible for the case, revealed his dissent in an email obtained by ProPublica. Evans wrote that he objected in the “strongest possible terms” to the decision, noting that it was directed by the main Justice Department and the United States Attorney’s Office. “I fought it as hard as I could,” Evans wrote. “It wasn’t enough.”
The shooting occurred on 14 January during Operation Metro Surge, a Trump administration immigration initiative that deployed thousands of federal agents to the state. State charging documents allege that Castro fired through a closed door into a home occupied by several people, including two children, while chasing another immigrant, Alfredo Aljorna. Sosa-Celis was struck in the leg. The incident was one of three shootings by immigration agents in Minneapolis, two of which resulted in deaths.
DOJ officials stated that civil rights charges require consultation with the civil rights division in Washington and that the agency has not yet reached a final conclusion. An official described the process as collaborative and deliberative, adding that the department will “never rush an investigative process.” Evans indicated that the False Statements charge could be filed soon and would likely be filed under seal.
Castro was released from jail last week after being held for 90 days during an extradition dispute between Minnesota and Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott had previously refused to cooperate with Minnesota officials, leading to a prolonged legal standoff. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, who is leading the state’s prosecution, has expressed concern that Castro may flee to Mexico following his release.
The decision comes as the Justice Department’s civil rights division has been reduced in size under the current administration, which has also dropped some oversight of law enforcement agencies established during the Biden era. DHS originally claimed Castro fired in self-defence after being ambushed, but later admitted that video evidence suggested the agents’ sworn testimony appeared to be false.
