A federal grand jury has indicted David Garcia, a 32-year-old resident of Fresno, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that on January 23, 2025, law enforcement officers identified a vehicle linked to several catalytic converter thefts. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Garcia allegedly drove off through an apartment complex lawn and led police on a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, he reportedly drove against traffic, collided with another car, and ignored multiple traffic signals. His attempt to evade capture ended when his vehicle became disabled after trying to drive through a fence at Scandinavian Middle School. Due to previous felony convictions in Fresno County, Garcia is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Officers discovered a loaded Glock 22 handgun with an extended magazine inside Garcia's vehicle. Both the gun and the vehicle were reported stolen.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is handling the prosecution.
If convicted, Garcia could face up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that charges are allegations; Garcia is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and supporting preventive measures against violence. The U.S. Department of Justice enhanced this strategy on May 26, 2021.