Incident in Albany Involving a Deportee
Prosecutors report that an undocumented immigrant, who had been deported multiple times, was arrested on attempted murder charges in Albany after confronting a U.S. lawyer with a knife.
Saul Morales Garcia, aged 40 and originally from El Salvador, allegedly threatened attorney John Salcone on Tuesday night, as detailed by prosecutors.
Salcone, appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondy a few months ago, expressed fear for his life during the encounter.
Fortunately, Salcone was unharmed. He fled to a hotel on Lodge Street, where he contacted Sheriff Craig Apple shortly before 10 PM.
Salcone mentioned that he called for Morales Garcia to return to the streets because he feared that innocent people would be at risk if the suspect was not detained.
As law enforcement approached, Morales Garcia charged at Salcone again, yelling in a foreign language. Salcone managed to escape to the Hilton lobby, where Morales Garcia eventually stopped and was apprehended by deputies. A knife was recovered at the scene.
In a statement, Salcone noted, “I felt an obligation to the public as the highest federal law enforcement officer in the district. I was afraid for my life, but I couldn’t harm this individual and potentially endanger others.”
Morales Garcia, who illegally re-entered the U.S. in 2021, faces charges including attempted murder, possession of a weapon, and intimidation, according to court documents. Authorities stated that the attack appeared to be random.
He has been held without bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment at Albany City Court.
Salcone emphasized the importance of public safety, expressing relief that no one was injured during the incident and thanking the Albany County Sheriff’s Office for their prompt response.
Despite his familiarity with the area, Salcone voiced concerns about safety, stating, “I live in Albany, and I can’t feel safe just going for a walk near the state capitol.”
The sheriff commended Salcone’s actions, describing them as selfless and potentially life-saving.
Salcone is responsible for federal prosecutions across 32 counties in upstate New York and has requested that Morales Garcia not be charged for illegally re-entering the country; that matter will be addressed by attorneys from the Southern District of New York. Investigations from the FBI and Homeland Security are also involved.
Records indicate that Morales Garcia has a criminal history in at least three other states. In 2022, he was convicted of DUI in Georgia and has an active warrant in Forsyth County for failing to appear in court that same year.
Additionally, he faced arrest in Virginia in 2023 for disorderly conduct on federal property and was charged with retail theft in Philadelphia the previous year.
Comments from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been sought.
