ICE officer wanted in Minneapolis shooting arrested in Texas


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal immigration officer wanted in the shooting of a Venezuelan man during the Trump administration’s Minnesota crackdown was arrested Friday in Texas, authorities said.

Christian Castro, of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, was taken into custody 11 days after Minneapolis prosecutors charged him with assault and falsely reporting a crime in the Jan. 14 nonfatal shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.

Hennepin County, Minnesota, prosecutors said the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension located Castro, 52, in Texas and worked with the Texas Rangers and agents from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General to arrest him.

The Office of Inspector General later denied any involvement, after which the county attorney’s office changed its statement to say that Inspector General’s office staff were “present at the scene” of the arrest and not that they conducted it.

Messages seeking comment were also left with ICE and the Texas Rangers.

Online court records do not list an attorney for Castro, and it wasn’t immediately clear if he has one.

In a statement, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty heralded the arrest as “a critical step forward in our prosecution of Mr. Castro.”

Castro is the second federal agent to be charged over their conduct during the Minnesota crackdown, which was known as Operation Metro Surge. He is one of two agents that ICE Director Todd Lyons said lied about the circumstances of the incident.

According to prosecutors, Castro fired through a home’s front door and shot Sosa-Celis in the thigh after Castro and another officer chased a different man, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, to the Minneapolis apartment duplex where he and Sosa-Celis lived. Sosa-Celis and Aljorna were legally in the U.S., Moriarty said.

Federal authorities initially accused Sosa-Celis and Aljorna of beating an officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel. A federal judge later dismissed the charges, and ICE and the Justice Department opened an investigation into whether the officers lied about what happened.

In a statement after the charges were announced, ICE said the U.S. attorney’s office was investigating statements made by the officers, who could face disciplinary action including being fired and prosecuted. ICE called the Hennepin County attorney’s action “unlawful and nothing more than a political stunt.” DHS’s Inspector General’s Office, which Moriarty credited with assisting in the arrest, is separate from ICE and is meant to serve as a watchdog for DHS agencies, including ICE.

Minneapolis last month released video showing the moments before Sosa-Celis’s shooting, captured from a distance by a city-owned security camera.

The video appears to show a person standing with a snow shovel outside the house, near the street, then retreating toward the house and tossing the shovel into the yard. This happens as a person being chased by another person runs up from the street, falls on the sidewalk, gets up, and keeps heading toward the house.

The three appear to scuffle near the front steps for about 10 seconds. The exact moment when Sosa-Celis is shot isn’t clear. A car with flashing lights pulls up, and another person walks up.

The Trump administration sent thousands of officers to the Minneapolis and St. Paul area as part of President Donald Trump’s national deportation campaign and considered Operation Metro Surge a success.

But tensions mounted during the weekslong campaign, and the shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers sparked mass unrest and raised questions about officers’ conduct.

Minnesota leaders and the Trump administration have clashed over who has the authority to investigate and prosecute federal officers for on-duty conduct.

Moriarty’s office last month charged immigration agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. with assault for allegedly pointing his gun at people in a car on a highway. He turned himself in last week, and his lawyer disputes the charges.

The county is also investigating Good’s and Pretti’s killings and sued the Trump administration in March to gain access to evidence in those cases and the Sosa-Celis shooting.



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When you envision a tropical getaway in the Philippines, Bohol is often associated with the Chocolate Hills and the large, lively beaches of Panglao Island. For most tourists, the adventure begins the moment they step off the Cebu to Bohol ferry, eager to immerse themselves in the island’s legendary beach lifestyle. 

However, there is a secret that only experienced island-hoppers and natives know: the best beach in Bohol is actually not where all the action is.

Have you ever been to Bohol and found yourself dodging selfie sticks or competing for a square inch of sand? Then you know that the magic doesn’t happen where the crowds are, but when you get off the beaten path. But what is it about these less-visited shores that are stealing the hearts of those who know where to look? Let’s find out. 

The Psychology of Paradise: Why Less is Truly More?

There is a particular type of peace that can only be achieved when the loudest sound you can hear is the retreat of the tide over broken coral. In the more popular areas of the island, the beach experience is almost like a show with music from bars, street vendors selling sunglasses, and the ever-present sound of motorized boats. While this is exciting for a night out, it does not have the heart of a real island vacation.

The best beach is more than just the brightness of the sand and the clarity of the water; it is about the sense of being a part of something small and special. 

When you discover a beach that is not on every Top 10 list, you are not just a visitor; you are a guest of the land. You get to witness the local fishermen unloading their morning catch instead of a jet ski line. You get to witness the stars without the neon lights of a bar. 

This is the main reason why travelers are now beginning to seek out something new, something different from the popular Alona Beach.

The Problem with Popularity

Let’s not forget that beaches like Alona are popular for a reason. They are stunning. However, with popularity comes development, and development can lead to the degradation of the very thing that drew visitors in the first place. Overcrowded beaches deal with problems like light pollution (which affects sea turtles), noise that chases away native birds, and the inevitable tourist tax on everything from coconuts to cocktails.

On the other hand, quiet and secluded beaches boast of finer sand and more vibrant reefs because they have not faced the same level of foot traffic and boat anchors. 

So, Where are These Hidden Gems?

If you’re ready to trade the crowds for a bit of solitude, here are the beaches that truly define the beauty of Bohol:

1. Dumaluan Beach

Technically still on Panglao Island but lightyears away from the hustle and bustle of Alona, Dumaluan has a much wider shoreline and shallower waters. It’s a favorite among locals, which makes it have a much more down-to-earth and authentic feel. The resorts are also not as packed, which means you get to breathe.

2. Anda White Beach (Quinale Beach)

Anda is situated on the eastern tip of the island and is also known as the next Boracay, minus the high-rise buildings. The beach is famous for its white and fine sand, which stretches for kilometers. It is also a peaceful haven since it is a few hours away from the nearest port. It is one of those places where you can walk for twenty minutes without seeing anyone.

3. Doljo Beach

Hidden away in the northwest corner of Panglao, Doljo is the best spot to watch the sunset. It is renowned for its untouched coral reefs and historic coconut trees that stretch towards the water. There are hardly any commercial developments in this area, which makes it ideal for a long walk while the sun sets.

4. Pamilacan Island

Although you have to take a short boat ride to get there, the beaches of Pamilacan are famous. This small island used to be a whaling ground but is now a protected marine sanctuary. The water is so clear that it is like glass, and the sand is soft white sand and sun-bleached shells. It is the epitome of an off-the-beaten-path paradise.

5. Momo Beach

If you are looking for a rustic experience, Momo is the place to be. It is a shallow beach that is largely occupied by locals, so it is a peaceful and unpretentious destination that is free from all the usual tourist trappings. It is a good place to sit back and watch the colors of the sky change or to read a book under a palm tree.

How to Get to Your Slice of Quiet?

Does it require more work to reach these destinations? A little bit. But that is the filter that makes these destinations unique. The majority of tourists go with the flow. They alight from the ferry, ride a tricycle to the closest resort, and stay there.

If you want a better experience, you have to plan ahead. Come to Bohol via the Cebu to Bohol ferry, which docks in Tagbilaran City. From there, instead of going with the majority to the southwest, you can rent a scooter or a private car to go east to Anda or north to the less crowded areas of Panglao.

The Verdict: Is it Worth the Journey?

Ask anyone who has ever spent a morning alone on the deserted shores of Anda or a sunset alone at Doljo, and the answer is always a resounding yes.

The best beach in Bohol is not a destination where you go to be noticed. It’s a destination where you go to be forgotten for a little while. It’s all about the indulgence of emptiness, the richness of local culture, and the possibility of reconnecting with nature without the filter. When you move away from the masses, you’re not just viewing a beach; you’re living the essence of the island.

The next time you find yourself planning a trip to the Visayas, remember that the most beautiful sights are sometimes only a few miles beyond where everyone else stops. Are you ready to discover your own hidden shore?

Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.



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