A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer has pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to investigators about a January shooting in Minneapolis. Christian Castro appeared in a Texas federal court on Friday, where he faces six charges of making false statements to investigators.
According to federal court documents, Castro is accused of providing a false account of the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man who was shot in the leg on January 14. Castro and his partner had attempted to stop a vehicle driven by another Venezuelan citizen, who fled, leading to a foot chase. Castro eventually fired a single shot through the front door of a nearby apartment, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg.
Prosecutors have disputed Castro's claims that he was brutally assaulted by multiple individuals wielding tools, saying that video evidence contradicts his statements. They also disputed his claim that he was on his back when he fired at the fleeing men, saying that he was standing up at the time of the shooting.
The shooting occurred during a targeted crackdown on illegal immigration in Minneapolis. Castro faces separate charges in Minnesota and was previously arrested in Texas in May. He was released on a $75,000 unsecured bond on Friday, with the condition that he wear an ankle monitor.
Castro's case has sparked a legal battle involving Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has refused to extradite him to Minnesota.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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