ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, aiming to compel the extradition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro. Castro is charged with wounding a man and allegedly lying to justify the shooting during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent the sheriff in Cameron County, Texas, from releasing Castro and to require Abbott to sign the extradition warrant, allowing Minnesota law enforcement to take custody of Castro. This legal action arises from ongoing disputes between Minnesota officials and the federal government regarding jurisdiction over the investigation and prosecution of federal officers for actions taken while on duty.
Castro was arrested in Texas in May on charges of assault and falsely reporting a crime related to the January 14 wounding of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Prosecutors allege that Castro fired a weapon through the front door of a Minneapolis residence, injuring Sosa-Celis, and subsequently made false accusations against him and another individual.
Ellison expressed concerns that Castro could be released from custody under Texas law after 90 days, potentially allowing him to flee to Mexico. The lawsuit claims that Castro has been communicating from jail about plans to marry a woman in Mexico and purchase a home there upon his release.
Ellison stated, “Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota. He must face justice in Minnesota.” He criticized Abbott for not responding to the extradition request, which Abbott justified by citing ongoing investigations into fraud in Minnesota’s social service programs.
The lawsuit references a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling mandating compliance with the Constitution’s extradition clause. It remains unclear if Castro has legal representation, as court records do not indicate a defense attorney.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty commented that the lawsuit should not have been necessary, noting that Texas officials have been cooperative in past extradition cases. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has labeled the prosecution of Castro as a “political stunt,” asserting that only federal authorities have jurisdiction over the matter.
The case has drawn attention due to the broader implications regarding the authority of state versus federal jurisdictions in law enforcement actions.