Arrest of Jancarlos Velazquez-Vazquez

SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Carlos Cases of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Division announced the arrest of JANCARLOS VELAZQUEZ-VAZQUEZ for assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer; aiding and abetting; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. On March 11, 2014, JANCARLOS VELAZQUEZ-VAZQUEZ was taken into custody by the FBI.

The criminal complaint states that on the evening of January 21, 2014, U.S. Marshals (USM) were searching for a fugitive. On this date at approximately 10:45 p.m., the USM arrived at the apartment building at 15 Dalia Street, Isla Verde, Carolina. Before entering the apartment building, the USM showed pictures of the fugitive and his associates to people standing around near the bottom floor of the apartment building. One of these people indicated that one of the associates of the fugitive lived on the second floor and described the location of apartment #203. Thereafter, the USM went to apartment #203 in search of the fugitive, as they believed that he may be hiding there.

The USM surrounded the apartment and conducted a knock and announce. There were three USM task force officers (TFOs) who took up positions at the back of the apartment. They shined a flashlight in the back window and identified themselves by calling out, “Policia! Policia!” simultaneously with the knock and announce. Immediately after the first knock and announce, the TFOs heard the sound of a shot being fired. The back window broke outward and, thereafter, several additional shots were fired from inside the apartment. The TFOs took cover to avoid being hit.

At this point, the USMs at the front of the apartment breached the door, and the following individuals were taken into custody by the USM:

• JAYSON RODRIGUEZ GONZALEZ

• JOSE REYES DEL VALLE

• ANGEL LUIS RESTO MOJICA

• ANGEL CASTRO CARABALLO

• RAFAEL MIRANDA TOLENTINO

JOEL GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ (GOMEZ) and an unknown subject (UNSUB1) jumped out the window of the apartment to avoid capture. GOMEZ was subsequently captured in the garage underneath the apartment complex.

Immediately following the shooting incident, USM personnel pursued UNSUB1 on foot. USM personnel lost sight of UNSUB1 in the vicinity of the 101 Lounge, Calle Marginal, Isla Verde Avenue, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.

On January 22, 2014, FBI personnel obtained security footage from the 101 Lounge. This footage depicted UNSUB1 entering the 101 Lounge moments before USM personnel entered the facility attempting to locate him.

On February 14, 2014, a photograph lineup was conducted by FBI personnel. A witness positively identified JANCARLOS VELAZQUEZ-VAZQUEZ in the photo lineup as the aforementioned male subject (UNSUB1) who entered the 101 Lounge on January 22, 2014 and purchased a beverage with money containing blood stains.

If convicted, the defendant faces not more than 18 years’ imprisonment.

This case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Victor Acevedo and is being investigated by the FBI.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.