A lawyer in New York, John Salcone, reportedly faced a dangerous encounter Tuesday night in Albany when he was chased by an illegal immigrant armed with a knife. Salcone, who was appointed by Trump to serve as lawyer for the Northern District, was approached aggressively by Saul Morales Garcia outside the Hilton hotel.
According to WNYT, Morales Garcia, who is 40 years old, threatened Salcone with the weapon, but fortunately, Salcone was unharmed. Local deputies quickly apprehended Morales Garcia following the incident.
Investigators revealed that Morales Garcia has a criminal background, having been previously convicted of a felony in El Salvador. He had also been deported from the U.S. at least once before, as reported by WNYT.
Prosecutors deemed the episode a seemingly “random” encounter on the street. Morales Garcia is currently in the U.S. illegally and has a criminal record in three states outside of New York.
Details regarding when Morales Garcia entered the country remain unclear, but it seems he has relocated settled here.
He now faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and is being held without bail, according to the Albany Times Union.
Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindron emphasized the seriousness of such threats, saying it’s important for everyone, regardless of stature, to feel safe and secure.
Salcone, a Pace University graduate and native New Yorker, has a background described as humble and blue-collar, having grown up in Croton-on-Hudson. He was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondy in March to his current role.
No comments were provided by authorities in the Upstate New York area, and the Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to inquiries.
