Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced that her office has filed criminal charges against ICE agent Christian Castro after he allegedly shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a lawful Minnesota resident, during an attempted immigration arrest in Minneapolis. Castro is accused of firing his weapon through the front door of a home on January 14, 2026, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg.
According to reports, Castro now faces four felony counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, along with one misdemeanor count of falsely reporting a crime. A warrant has also been issued for his arrest.
What Prosecutors Say Happened During the Shooting
The shooting reportedly occurred during “Operation Metro Surge,” a federal immigration enforcement campaign in Minnesota. Prosecutors allege that Castro fired through the front door of the residence after an encounter involving Sosa-Celis and another local resident. Sosa-Celis was hit in the leg and survived.
After the incident, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security described Castro’s actions as self-defense. Federal prosecutors initially charged Sosa-Celis and another man with assaulting an officer. However, those charges were later dropped after video evidence reportedly contradicted parts of the officers’ account.
Video Evidence Reportedly Changed the Case
A key issue in the case is the emergence of security camera footage. Earlier sworn testimony from an FBI agent appeared to support the federal agents’ version of events, but prosecutors later said new evidence raised serious questions about what happened.
According to news reports, federal prosecutors dismissed the charges against Sosa-Celis and the other defendant after concluding that the evidence conflicted with statements from Castro’s colleague.
Castro Is the Second ICE Agent Charged by Hennepin County This Year
Castro is not the first ICE agent to face charges from Moriarty’s office in 2026. In April, Hennepin County prosecutors charged ICE agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. with two counts of second-degree assault after he allegedly pointed a gun at civilians during a highway incident.
Together, these cases raise serious questions about accountability when federal law enforcement officers are accused of using force against civilians.
Why This Case Matters for Victims of Law Enforcement Misconduct
When law enforcement officers use excessive force, victims may be left with physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost income, and fear about whether anyone will be held accountable. This can be especially frightening when the officer involved is a federal agent.
Criminal charges may address whether an officer violated the law, but victims and families may also need guidance about their civil rights. Depending on the facts, victims of police brutality or federal law enforcement misconduct may be able to pursue compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, and other harm.
Anyone injured during an encounter with law enforcement should take steps to protect their rights. This may include seeking medical care, preserving photos and videos, writing down what happened, gathering witness information, and speaking with an attorney experienced in civil rights and excessive force cases.
Even if officials initially claim an officer acted in self-defense, evidence such as body camera footage, surveillance video, medical records, dispatch logs, and witness statements may tell a different story.
Get Legal Help After Law Enforcement Misconduct
If you or someone you love was injured by police, ICE, or another law enforcement agency, Police Brutality Center may be able to help connect you with experienced legal attorneys. Our mission is to support victims of police brutality, excessive force, racial profiling, and misconduct by helping them understand their rights and find legal help.
Contact Police Brutality Center today for a free case review.