Yakama Man Sentenced to 7 Years Imprisonment for Assualting Law Enforcement Officers

Yakima – Today, Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Israel Garcia, age 27, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to Assault on Federal Officers. Senior United States District Judge Lonny R. Suko sentenced Garcia to a 84 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision upon release from Federal prison. Garcia will likely be deported to Mexico upon his release from Federal prison.

The following was disclosed during the court proceedings. On September 3, 2015, law enforcement officers attempted to arrest a known gang member. The gang member was a convicted felon and associated with the My Crew Kills (MCK) street gang. During a subsequent stand-off, the gang member fired a shot at a law enforcement officer. The gang member was subsequently arrested.

The Eastern Washington Violent Gangs Safe Streets Task Force/Yakima conducted an investigation which targeted members and associates of known violent street gangs. The investigation resulted in the issuance of three federal search warrants. On October 16, 2015, law enforcement officers executed simultaneous search warrants at separate residences. Officers approached the residence of Israel Garcia (aka Lil Gato). Garcia was known to be a convicted felon. Officers knocked on the door of the residence and announced their presence. The officers attempted to enter the residence and heard the sound of a firearm being locked and loaded. During a lengthy stand-off, Garcia threatened to shoot police officers. Garcia later attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended. During the search of his residence, officers discovered two firearms. A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF&E”) discovered that the Jesus Arturo Lopez (“Lopez”) had legally purchased both of the firearms found in the residence. Furthermore, law enforcement determined that Lopez had also lawfully purchased the firearm found during the September 3, 2015 incident.

On October 16, 2015, special agents with the ATF&E and Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) contacted Lopez at his residence. During the interview, Lopez acknowledged that he had legally purchased several firearms for known convicted felons. Lopez advised that he knew that some of his customers had been involved in gang related shootings in the Yakima area. Lopez was charged and pled guilty to Transfer of Firearm to a Felon. On June 9, 2016, Senior United States District Judge Lonny R. Suko sentenced Lopez to a 36 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision upon release from Federal prison.

Michael C. Ormsby, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, “law enforcement officers continually put their lives on the line to protect the public. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who assault law enforcement officers. Furthermore, the United States Attorneys’ Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to combating gang violence and prosecuting those who knowingly arm convicted felons.”

The investigation was completed by the Eastern Washington Violent Gangs Safe Streets Task Force/Yakima, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Yakima Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Tom Hanlon, an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.