Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted David Garcia, a 32-year-old resident of Fresno, for possessing a firearm as a felon. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that on January 23, 2025, law enforcement identified a vehicle linked to recent catalytic converter thefts. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Garcia allegedly fled, driving across an apartment complex lawn and leading 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 escape ended when his vehicle became disabled after trying to drive through a fence at Scandinavian Middle School. Due to prior felony convictions in Fresno County, Garcia is barred from possessing firearms.
Officers discovered a loaded Glock 22 handgun with an extended magazine in Garcia's vehicle. Both the handgun 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, sentencing will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that charges are allegations at this stage; Garcia is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The U.S. Department of Justice reinforced PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on building community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
