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Press Release

Mesa Man Sentenced to Nearly 15 Years for Assault on FBI Agent with a Firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Gabriel Manzo, 40, of Mesa, Arizona, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to 177 months in federal prison. Manzo pleaded guilty to Assault on a Federal Officer and Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

On April 20, 2020, Manzo drove his truck to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office located in Phoenix, Arizona. He exited his vehicle, approached the north security fence, and fired three rounds from his .380 pistol at the building. He then returned to his truck and drove to the front of the office. He exited his vehicle and fired another 15 rounds, breaking 11 windows, and causing over $98,000 in damages. Manzo returned to his vehicle and started to drive away when he noticed an FBI agent, who was in his government issued vehicle, behind him. Manzo stopped, exited his truck in the middle of the street, and fired three rounds at the agent.

This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The FBI conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the Phoenix Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Vercauteren, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-20-00540-SPL-PHX
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-036_Manzo

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Contact

Yvette Cantu
Public Affairs Officer
yvette.cantu@usdoj.gov
(602) 514-7500

Updated March 16, 2023

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Firearms Offenses
Press Release Number: 2023-036_Manzo