ICE Officer Christian Castro, Charged in Minneapolis Shooting, Released From Texas Jail After Extradition Denied

Christian Castro, the ICE officer charged with shooting Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis through the front door of a north Minneapolis home during the January 14, 2026 'Metro Surge' operation, was released from the Cameron County jail in Brownsville, Texas on August 27, 2026, after U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ruled Aug. 26 that he lacked jurisdiction to compel Castro's extradition, finding the case 'not ripe for adjudication.' Castro faces four felony counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor false-reporting count in Minnesota — prosecutors say he falsely claimed Sosa-Celis and another man attacked him with a broom handle and snow shovel before video evidence contradicted his account. He was arrested in Cameron County on May 29 on a Minnesota warrant; his 90-day detention window under Texas law expired, forcing his release. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mocked Minnesota's legal team as 'such bad lawyers,' while Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison accused Abbott of 'turning Texas into a sanctuary state for violent criminals.' Minnesota officials say jail calls show Castro discussing plans to marry and relocate to Mexico, raising flight-risk concerns.