Why It Matters
Federal immigration agents killed two Minnesota residents and wounded a third during enforcement operations in January. After months of legal standoff, Minnesota prosecutors have now obtained evidence that may determine whether criminal charges are filed against the officers involved—a decision that carries implications for how federal agents are held accountable in state courts.
What Happened
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday that prosecutors obtained federal evidence concerning the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as the shooting of Venezuelan national Julio Sosa-Celis. All three incidents occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative, in January in Minneapolis.
The federal government had previously refused to release materials related to the cases. Minnesota sued in March seeking access to the evidence. State authorities began receiving documents two weeks before Moriarty’s announcement, following an agreement in which Minnesota prosecutors shared their own evidence with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The newly obtained evidence includes body camera footage, officer statements, and the Honda Pilot in which Good was killed. Moriarty said prosecutors would conduct a thorough review before deciding whether to pursue charges. “We will be thorough. We will be complete, and we will make a decision,” she stated.
Moriarty and Attorney General Keith Ellison have not yet dismissed their lawsuit against the federal government, signaling continued tension over the process.
Officers and Charges to Date
ICE agent Jonathan Ross has been identified as responsible for Good’s killing. Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez are identified as the officers who shot Pretti. Neither has faced state criminal charges as of the announcement.
In the Sosa-Celis case, Christian Castro—characterized as an ICE agent—was charged with four felony counts of second-degree assault and one misdemeanor count of falsely reporting a crime. He remains in custody in the Cameron County jail in Texas.
By the Numbers
- 3 — people shot by federal agents in the three incidents
- 1,000 — evidence submissions collected from the public by state authorities
- 2 weeks — duration between when evidence transfer began and the Monday announcement
- 4 — felony counts of second-degree assault filed against Christian Castro in the Sosa-Celis case
- 9 — at least this many killings by federal agents since the start of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown
Zoom Out
The Minnesota cases reflect a broader pattern of federal enforcement operations resulting in fatalities. A 26-year-old man was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Maine, marking at least the ninth killing by federal agents since the Trump administration accelerated immigration enforcement.
In Maine, ICE agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. was charged with felony assault after allegedly pointing a gun at two individuals in an unmarked SUV. Morgan has filed to remove the case to federal court, a move that could shield him from state prosecution.
The dispute over evidence in Minnesota reflects broader tensions between state and federal authorities. A Department of Justice attorney from Washington traveled to Minnesota in early February for discussions. President Trump characterized Minnesota officials as “crooked,” and the White House opposed cooperation in the Good case, complicating negotiations.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose confirmation hearings are scheduled this week before the U.S. Senate, has stated there will be no civil rights investigation into Good’s death—a position that may affect how state prosecutors proceed.
What’s Next
Moriarty’s office will now review the evidence to determine whether to file charges against the officers involved in Good’s and Pretti’s deaths. The timeline for that decision remains unclear, and Minnesota officials have signaled they will not abandon their lawsuit unless federal cooperation continues.
Steve Schleicher, an attorney for the Pretti family, emphasized the stakes: “Without a public commitment by federal authorities to cooperate with the state, it is difficult – if not, impossible – to pursue justice that holds the individuals accountable for Alex’s death.”