U.S. Marshals in San Antonio are asking for the public’s help to track down Andrew Garcia, a 44-year-old convicted drug trafficker who federal authorities say violated the terms of his supervised release. Investigators say Garcia was last seen on the city’s West Side after allegedly leading officers on a high-speed pursuit. Officials report he was later taken into custody, released on bond and then failed to comply with the conditions of his supervision. The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force has circulated photos and a physical description and is urging anyone with information to come forward.
Marshal’s Description and Court History
According to Fox San Antonio, the U.S. Marshals describe Garcia as heavily tattooed, with ink covering his head, neck, chest, back and both arms, including full sleeves. The outlet reports that Garcia was convicted in 2015 of possession with intent to distribute heroin and of being a felon in possession of firearms. He was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Federal authorities allege he violated that supervised release by refusing to pull over when officers activated emergency lights and sirens and by driving recklessly in an effort to evade arrest. In other words, this is not being treated as a minor technical violation.
About the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force is the U.S. Marshals regional unit that coordinates fugitive operations across South Texas in partnership with local and state agencies. It routinely issues public tip lines and requests for assistance when it is looking for wanted subjects.
The U.S. Marshals Service lists the San Antonio tip line and press contacts for the region and notes that tips can be phoned in to the local office at (210) 657-8500 or submitted through the USMS Tips App. Recent U.S. Marshals Service press releases describe similar multiagency fugitive operations in the Alamo City.
What Revoking Supervised Release Can Mean
Under federal law, a judge who finds that a defendant has violated supervised release can revoke that release and impose additional prison time within the applicable statutory limits. That can include re-imprisonment for part or all of the original supervised-release term.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission explains that post-revocation penalties are treated as part of the original sentence and are calibrated to the seriousness of the violation and the defendant’s criminal history. U.S. Sentencing Commission guidance details how courts calculate these penalties when supervised release is revoked.
How to Help
As reported by Fox San Antonio, anyone with information about Garcia’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force at (210) 657-8500. Authorities emphasize that members of the public should not attempt to approach or detain any suspect and should instead pass information directly to law enforcement.
The U.S. Marshals Service also encourages tipsters to use its official channels, including the San Antonio office tip line, the USMS Tips App and the national communications center. U.S. Marshals Service materials note that phone and app submissions can be made anonymously or on a confidential basis.
