Albuquerque man pleads guilty to assaulting a federal officer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Derick Martin Garcia Pacheco, 33, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty on May 10 in federal court to one count of assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon and inflicting bodily injury and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Garcia will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Dec. 11, 2020, FBI agents executing a search warrant knocked at the door of Garcia’s residence and announced themselves as federal officers. Garcia armed himself with a .357 revolver and fired through the door, striking one of the agents. The agent was seriously injured, requiring surgery and hospitalization.

After Garcia shot the agent, other officers secured the scene and the FBI Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit responded to assist in executing the warrant, and Garcia was detained.

In his plea, Garcia acknowledge that he knew at the time of the incident that as a previously convicted felon he cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Garcia faces up to 20 years in prison for the assault charge and up to 10 years in prison for possessing firearms and ammunition.

The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Holland S. Kastrin and Sarah J. Mease are prosecuting the case.

# # #