Hennepin County Attorney calls on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to turn over violent fugitive

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called on Gov. Greg Abbott to turn over Christian Castro, a fugitive being harbored in Texas.

With only hours remaining before Castro is released – and with evidence pointing to him being a flight risk due to close relationships with Mexican nationals across the southern border – Gov. Abbott’s signature on the paperwork submitted to him three months ago is the only recourse guaranteed to keep him in the country.

“Gov. Abbott still has the ability to prevent Christian Castro from walking out of jail. He can choose to stop harboring a fugitive by simply signing the extradition paperwork today,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “If Castro walks out of jail tomorrow and disappears into Mexico, it will be the fault of one person – Greg Abbott."

Mr. Castro was arrested in Texas on May 29, 2026, and paperwork for his extradition was transmitted to Gov. Abbott on June 2. The average time it typically takes Gov. Abbott to sign similar warrants is just under 30 days.

Repeated inquiries to the governor’s office were made throughout July, culminating in a letter from County Attorney Moriarty to Gov. Abbott requesting he sign the warrant on July 30.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sent an additional letter on Aug. 13 that promised legal action if the warrant was not signed. The warrant was not signed and a lawsuit was filed in federal court in Texas.

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