ICE agent makes first Minnesota court appearance after arrest

ICE agent Christian Castro turned himself in to Minnesota authorities Wednesday, months after Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to extradite him and a federal judge in Texas declined to force the issue. Castro faces state charges of second-degree assault and falsely reporting a crime over a January shooting that struck Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg and sent a bullet into a child's bedroom wall.

Prosecutors say Castro told Homeland Security officials he was attacked with a shovel and broom, an account they say video evidence contradicted. The Justice Department had initially charged the two men Castro accused, then dropped those charges in February after “newly discovered evidence” didn't match his affidavit; federal prosecutors have since charged Castro himself with lying to investigators.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said his office has dismissed its lawsuit against Abbott now that Castro has returned voluntarily, though he didn't hide his frustration at the delay. Castro is out on $200,000 bail with conditions including home monitoring, no firearms, and no contact with ICE agents or witnesses.

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