A federal prosecutor in Minnesota investigating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer for possible civil rights violations has been dismissed. Four sources familiar with the situation informed CBS News of the development.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans was examining allegations against ICE officer Christian Castro. The inquiry focused on a shooting incident involving a Venezuelan immigrant earlier this year. Although the Justice Department has charged Castro with making false statements regarding the case, the indictment details have not been disclosed publicly, according to CBS News.
The reporting from ProPublica earlier this week shed light on the situation. Evans reportedly informed the legal representatives of the shooting victim, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, to expect only perjury charges against Castro. Such charges would attract lighter penalties compared to accusations of civil rights violations under the guise of law enforcement authority.
This is being directed by the Main Justice and the US Attorney. I objected in the strongest possible terms and fought it as hard as I could. It wasn’t enough.This email, allegedly sent by Evans to the attorneys, was quoted by ProPublica. CBS News has not procured this email.
Three sources told CBS News that Matthew Evans himself is now under investigation by the Justice Department. Two of those sources indicated that the inquiry pertains to potential leaks.
CBS News has contacted Evans for his comments. The story is developing and will be updated as more information emerges.
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