Christian Castro, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, was freed from custody in Texas on Thursday morning after a federal judge declined to intervene in his release. Castro had been detained since May at a county jail near the Texas-Mexico border, facing charges related to the nonfatal shooting of 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 14.
The shooting occurred during a raid that was part of a broader mass deportation initiative under President Donald Trump’s administration. Prosecutors alleged that Castro falsely claimed Sosa-Celis and another individual had assaulted an ICE officer using a broom handle and snow shovel. Castro fired through the front door of Sosa-Celis’s home, striking him in the leg.
A Minnesota judge issued a nationwide arrest warrant for Castro in May, leading to his detention in Texas by state authorities on May 29. Minnesota then pursued extradition proceedings to bring Castro back to the state for prosecution. However, under Texas law, a suspect cannot be held beyond 90 days under an extradition order without being transferred or released. Castro’s deadline expired on Thursday, triggering his release.
District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ruled on Wednesday that he lacked authority to prevent the county sheriff from releasing Castro after Texas Governor Greg Abbott declined to sign the extradition warrant. Abbott stated he was awaiting the results of a state investigation into whether Castro qualified as a legal fugitive under constitutional extradition provisions. The governor also cited ongoing investigations into alleged fraud in Minnesota social service programs.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison had sought a temporary restraining order to block Castro’s release and filed suit against Abbott to compel him to sign the extradition warrant, arguing the governor’s inaction improperly circumvented federal extradition law to support Trump’s deportation efforts. Minnesota officials expressed concern that Castro may flee to Mexico, noting phone calls he made from jail discussing marriage and purchasing property there. The judge acknowledged the flight risk but determined the threat alone was insufficient grounds for judicial intervention.
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