Weslaco Man Sentenced for Carjacking Woman and Four Children

MCALLEN, TX—Luis Armando Garza Jr., 31, of Weslaco, has been ordered to prison following his conviction for carjacking and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Garza pleaded guilty February 27, 2013.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Garza to 139 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered restitution to the victims.

The conviction stems from Garza’s armed carjacking of a minivan from a woman and four children on November 25, 2012. The evidence presented during the hearing today showed that a Mexican national offered to pay Garza $2,000 to steal a vehicle he could take to Mexico. Once the Mexican national provided him with the handgun, Garza approached a minivan while it was parked at a Weslaco convenience store. Without warning, Garza pointed the weapon at the owner while demanding she and the children, ranging from 12 to 15 years of age, exit the vehicle. Once they complied with his demands, Garza stole the family vehicle.

In handing down the sentences, Judge Alvarez noted the tremendous amount of harm he had inflicted by pointing his weapon at a mother and her terrified children. She referenced the financial and emotional distress the victims continue to suffer from the Garza’s crime. Moreover, Judge Alvarez expressed her concern for the deliberate manner in which the defendant committed the offense as well as his lengthy and violent criminal history.

Garza will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Weslaco Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Grady J. Leupold.