Minnesota Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Secure Extradition of ICE Agent from Texas
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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Governor Greg Abbott to compel the extradition of ICE agent Christian Castro, who faces assault and false-reporting charges in Minnesota.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking a court order that would prevent the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office in Texas from releasing ICE agent Christian Castro and would require Governor Greg Abbott to sign an extradition warrant. The action aims to bring Castro to Minnesota to face charges of assault and filing a false police report related to a January 14 shooting in Minneapolis that injured Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.
According to the criminal complaint, Castro allegedly fired a weapon at a Minneapolis residence, striking a victim’s leg and embedding the bullet in a child’s bedroom wall, then provided inaccurate information to investigators. Prosecutors in Minneapolis detained Castro eleven days after filing the charges, and under Texas law he is eligible for release after 90 days in custody.
Ellison told reporters that without extradition, Castro could be freed next week and potentially leave the United States from the border town where he is held. He said, "Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota. He must face justice in Minnesota. Gov. Abbott should have granted Gov. Walz’s extradition request long ago and is required to do so now."
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty described the lawsuit as unnecessary, noting that Texas officials have previously extradited three unrelated defendants to Minnesota without issue and have been cooperative with local prosecutors. She added that the matter should not be controversial.
Ellison said the state has communicated repeatedly with Governor Abbott, but believes the governor is refusing to honor the extradition request.