A Rio Grande Valley-based U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer pleaded not guilty Friday to six federal charges of lying to the FBI in connection with a Minnesota shooting investigation.

Bond for 52-year-old Christian Jeremiah Castro was set at $75,000. His attorneys confirmed to Channel 5 News on Friday at around 4 p.m. that Castro was released from custody. 

Castro surrendered to authorities in McAllen on Thursday, federal court records show.

Castro's attorneys said both the government and court agreed he is not a flight risk, noting he voluntarily surrendered to authorities rather than fleeing to Mexico.

According to Castro's indictment, he falsely told investigators that he was attacked with a broom and shovel before he opened fire during an immigration crackdown in Minnesota in January 2026.

RELATED COVERAGE: ICE officer lied about shovel and broom attack before Minnesota shooting, Justice Department alleges

The shooting injured Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis of Venezuela.

According to the Associated Press, federal prosecutors originally charged Sosa-Celis and one other man, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, with assault. The charges were dropped after video evidence showed the officer may have lied about the encounter. 

Castro was later transferred back to Texas. He also faces Minneapolis state charges in connection with the shooting.

The federal charges come a week after Castro was released from the Cameron County jail, where he had been in custody for 90 days on those state charges. His release happened after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott refused to immediately sign an extradition warrant for Castro. Attorneys for Abbott said his office has not denied the extradition and that he ordered the Texas Secretary of State's office to investigate whether Castro was legally a fugitive.

As part of the conditions of his bond, federal court records say Castro must surrender his passport,  not travel to Mexico, be under a curfew, and be restricted from traveling outside the area except for going to Minnesota for court.

Castro's next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18 in Minnesota.