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Venezuelan immigrant shot by ICE agent, officers face criminal charges for false testimony

Feb 12, 2026 · Minnesota, Venezuela

Venezuelan immigrant shot by ICE agent, officers face criminal charges for false testimony

ICE officer Christian Castro and another agent shot Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during a traffic stop on January 14, 2026. The officers claimed Sosa-Celis and his cousin attacked them with a snow shovel and broom, but video evidence contradicted their account. A federal judge dismissed felony assault charges against the cousins after the U.S. attorney acknowledged the officers made false statements under oath. Castro was charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime. Both officers were subsequently suspended and faced a criminal investigation for allegedly lying to a jury.

Timeline

Feb 12, 2026Federal judge dismissed assault charges against Sosa-Celis and his cousin after U.S. attorney acknowledged officers made false statements under oath; second ICE agent suspended and both agents faced criminal investigation
Jan 14, 2026ICE agents shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during a traffic stop; agents claimed he and his cousin attacked them with a snow shovel and broom
Jan 14, 2026ICE officer Christian Castro charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime

Sources

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