Victoria resident imprisoned for firing several shots at federal authorities

VICTORIA, Texas – A 37-year-old man has been sentenced for aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly weapon, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Mark Anthony Garcia Jr. pleaded guilty Sept. 28, 2023.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Garcia to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.

On Dec. 1, 2022, at approximately 9 p.m., law enforcement approached the front door of Garcia’s residence and began to knock, loudly announcing their presence. After receiving no response, authorities attempted to force entry into the home through the front door, which was barricaded with a couch.

Law enforcement then broke the front glass window, made entry, announced their presence again and identified themselves as law enforcement with arrest warrants. They then began searching for Garcia inside of the home.

While in the hallway, authorities heard two gunshots coming from a back room and immediately exited the residence. At the time of the shots, there were a total of six law enforcement officer inside the residence. The shots were fired in close proximity to authorities, placing them in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.

They began negotiations which spanned several hours, during which Garcia admitted to having a firearm and threatening to use it. The negotiations failed, and Garcia fired at least five more gunshots from the back bedroom.

Authorities then deployed tear gas into the residence, removed Garcia and took him into custody.

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

FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patti Hubert Booth prosecuted the case.