FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: |
March 9, 2007 |
Deputy Joshua Butout
joshua.butout@usdoj.gov Public Information Officer
Cell 602-920-4806
Desk 602-382-8775 |
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Top Mexican Mafia Member Arrested by
U.S. Marshals and Phoenix Police |
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Phoenix, AZ – The United States Marshals Service (USMS) High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Phoenix
Police Fugitive Apprehension and Investigations Detail (FAID)
arrested a man believed to be involved in the shooting of a Glendale
police officer and a high ranking member of the New Mexican Mafia.
Angel Garcia, 28, was arrested on federal charges of Supervised
Release Violation. Garcia spent three and a half years in federal
custody for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Garcia is believed to
be involved in the shooting of Glendale Police Officer Jeremy Esh.
On December 19, 2006, Garcia’s vehicle was pulled over by Officer
Esh. Several Hispanic males fled the vehicle, one of them shooting
at Officer Esh, striking him in the neck. Two of the suspects were
arrested at or near the scene. One suspect, believed to be Garcia,
managed to elude authorities. Glendale Police have identified Garcia
as a “person of interest” in the case.
Garcia was found to be living at the 2200 North block of 60th Lane
in Phoenix. Law enforcement officials followed Garcia and two other
males to the QT located at 67th Avenue and Thomas. As officers moved
in to execute the arrest, Garcia fled on foot. He was quickly
subdued by task force members as they surrounded him. A 9mm Taurus
handgun was found in the back of Garcia’s waistband. He will most
likely be charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm. A
substantial amount of cash was also found in Garcia’s pockets.
Garcia has a violent criminal history that includes charges of:
Drive-by Shooting, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Weapons and
Possession of Dangerous Drugs.
United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of task force
members and local officials, “The U.S. Marshals and Phoenix Police
Department put their resources together and brought down a very
dangerous man.”
The United States Marshals HIDTA Task Force consists of deputies and
officers from the U.S. Marshals, Phoenix P.D., Department of Public
Safety (DPS), Mesa P.D., Maricopa County Probation Office, U.S.
Postal Inspector Service, and Chandler P.D.
For further information about the U.S. Marshals:
www.usmarshals.gov |
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