Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
Justice Department leaders in Washington block a civil rights charge against an ICE agent who shot a man through a door
A Minnesota prosecutor emailed the victim’s lawyers on September 1, 2026 that the agent would be charged only with false statements, “directed by the Main Justice and the US Attorney”; the prosecutor was then fired.
What happened
Late on September 1, 2026, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans emailed the lawyers for Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis that ICE agent Christian Castro would be charged “only with False Statements.” He wrote: “This is being directed by the Main Justice and the US Attorney.” Castro shot Sosa-Celis through a door in Minneapolis on January 14. ProPublica published the email on September 2.
A 6-count false-statements indictment followed. Castro surrendered in Texas on September 4, was arrested on Minnesota assault charges on September 16, and pleaded not guilty in federal court on September 18. Evans was fired and put under a Justice Department leak investigation. AP’s source said the civil-rights probe continues.
Who benefited
ICE agent Christian Castro faces false-statement charges rather than a civil rights charge for shooting a man through a door. The email says the decision was directed by Main Justice and the U.S. attorney. The 6-count indictment was the charge filed, and he pleaded not guilty on September 18.
Who wanted something
Main Justice and the U.S. attorney directed that Castro face only false-statement charges. Evans’ email names both. The record does not give their reasons. They set the charge against the prosecutor who had been investigating the shooting for civil rights crimes.
Who lost out
Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who was shot through a door on January 14, saw the civil rights charge removed from the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans, who told his lawyers what was happening, was fired and put under a Justice Department leak investigation. State assault charges were filed against Castro on September 16.
Why it matters
Prosecutors in Washington decided the charge in a Minneapolis shooting, and the prosecutor who disclosed it lost his job. The email said “Main Justice and the US Attorney” directed the charge. AP’s source says the civil-rights probe continues, but the charge now on the docket is for false statements.
Sources ProPublicaCBS NewsMPR NewsMinnesota Attorney General (primary)