FILE - In this May 27, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison answers questions during a news conference in St. Paul, Minn. The Minnesota town of Prinsburg has backed away from a proposal to let its residents sue abortion providers and organizations that provide abortion drugs by mail after state Attorney General Keith Ellison warned that the plan was unconstitutional. But the lawmaker behind the proposal, which is based on a Texas law, says he’s not giving up. (John Autey/Pioneer Press via AP, Pool, File)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is criticizing the release of a former ICE agent from jail who is charged in Minnesota with shooting a man during Operation Metro Surge.
Christian Castro was arrested in Texas in May, and was held in jail in Texas near the border of Mexico. Ellison says Texas Governor Greg Abbott has refused to sign paperwork that would extradite him back to Minnesota to face charges of assault and falsely reporting a crime. Texas law says Castro had to be released after 90 days if not extradited.
Ellison called the decision by Abbott disturbing, and says that Abbot is turning Texas into a sanctuary for accused felons and violent criminals.
“Federal law, the laws of every state, and the U.S. Constitution require states to extradite fugitives, period. This is not politics — this is not a game. There are traumatized victims in Minnesota awaiting accountability and justice. But Greg Abbott is playing the political game of turning Texas into a sanctuary state for accused felons and violent criminals. This hurts the victims of crime and hurts the residents of Texas.” Ellison said.
Ellison had a request denied by a federal judge Wednesday that would have sent Castro to Minnesota. Ellison argued Castro was a flight risk. The judge did agree that Castro could flee to Mexico, but said the request was too early in the process.
Ellison says he will never stop pursuing Castro no matter where he is, and says he must answer for his crimes.
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