An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer facing criminal charges over a nonfatal shooting in Minnesota was released from a Texas detention facility early Thursday. Christian Castro was released at dawn from the Carrizales-Rucker Cameron County Detention Center in Brownsville, Texas, after reaching the state’s 90-day statutory limit for pre-extradition detention. His release followed a federal court ruling that declined to halt his discharge or compel Texas officials to transfer him north.
In a 13-page decision issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. rejected a request by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for a temporary restraining order to block Castro’s release. The court determined it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to intervene prior to a final decision by the Texas executive branch. Ruling on the matter, the judge wrote, “The Court concludes that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction because the case is not ripe for adjudication,” noting that “the threat of injury by itself does not create an issue ripe for adjudication” despite concerns regarding potential flight risks.
Minnesota officials expressed concern that Castro might attempt to flee across the nearby Southern border. Court filings cited recorded jailhouse telephone conversations in which Castro discussed “about marrying her and buying a house in Mexico when he is released” with a woman living in Mexico. Despite the setback, Minnesota prosecutors stated that legal efforts to extradite Castro and bring the case to trial in Hennepin County will move forward.
Castro faces felony assault and false reporting charges in Minnesota stemming from a Jan. 14 enforcement action in Minneapolis. Prosecutors allege Castro fired a weapon through the front entrance of a residence, striking 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg. Investigators contend that Castro falsely claimed Sosa-Celis and another individual attacked an officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel, a version of events contradicted by local surveillance video. Following the issuance of a Minnesota arrest warrant, authorities taken Castro into custody in Cameron County, Texas, on May 29. However, Texas law caps detention without a signed governor’s extradition warrant at 90 days. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not execute the warrant prior to the deadline, instead directing state officials to investigate whether Castro qualifies as a fugitive under constitutional guidelines.
Editorial credit: Alejandro Diaz Manrique / Shutterstock.com
Post expires at 5:22am on Tuesday October 27th, 2026