DOJ dropped charges against two Minneapolis men after video contradicted an ICE agent's sworn account of shooting Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis
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What happened
On January 14, 2026, an ICE agent (identified in later reporting as Christian Castro) shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man, in North Minneapolis during an immigration operation; DHS initially said agents were attacked with a shovel. City surveillance video released later showed Sosa-Celis dropping the shovel and retreating before the shooting, contradicting the agents' sworn account. The U.S. Attorney's Office moved to dismiss all charges against Sosa-Celis and his roommate Alfredo Aljorna 'with prejudice,' citing evidence 'materially inconsistent with the allegations.' Hennepin County later filed state assault charges against Castro, though his prosecution has stalled over an extradition dispute with Texas; federal prosecutors separately declined to bring federal civil-rights charges against him.
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Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.
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Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.
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