1994 Escapee from FCI Estill Captured in Texas

Columbia, SC - Martin Garcia-Gonzalez was apprehended late Monday night in Edinburg, Texas as he attempted to run out the back door of his mobile home. Garcia-Gonzalez was the subject of a 1994 federal warrant charging him with escape from FCI Estill. Garcia-Gonzalez’s trail had gone cold for almost 13 years before deputy marshals in South Carolina picked it up in Florida late last year. Deputy marshals in Florida were able to develop information that Garcia-Gonzalez had moved to Texas. That information was forwarded to deputy marshals in McAllen, Texas who quickly located and apprehended him.

In announcing Garcia-Gonzalez’s apprehension, United States Marshal Johnny Mack Brown said, “It is often very difficult to locate someone who has been on the run for so long. My deputies tracked down many leads over the years before finally developing the information that led to his apprehension. It was a determined effort and we appreciate very much the assistance of deputy marshals in Florida and Texas. The charges in the warrant are merely accusations unless and until Garcia-Gonzalez is proven guilty, but now he will face judicial proceedings to make that determination.”

Established in 1789, the United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. In fiscal 2005, the Marshals arrested more than 35,500 federal fugitives, clearing 38,500 felony warrants. Marshals Service-led task forces like South Carolina’s Operation Intercept arrested 44,000 state and local fugitives, clearing 51,200 state and local felony warrants. Locally, Operation Intercept arrested over 2,900 South Carolina fugitives during that same period. More information about the Marshals and other South Carolina fugitives can be found on the web at www.usmarshals.gov.