Mexican Criminal Plays Border Ping Pong

Armando Garcia knew that a better life for him lay over the border from his home town in Mexico. But he didn't come to the United States for its job opportunities, he came here for its drug market. 

In 1994,Garcia illegally entered the U.S., and according to the DEA began a profitable enterprise selling methamphetamines in California. But eventually the law caught up with Garcia. He was convicted of felony drug distribution and sentenced to four years in prison--but he wouldn't serve it. Months into his sentence, the INS came to see Garcia and decided to deport him back to Mexico.

That didn't keep Garcia from trying to get back into the U.S. In 1997, Garcia was arrested in Southern California, found to be in the country illegally, and once again was sent south of the border. Then again, in 2000, police in El Monte, California found Garcia with an illegal Tec-9 machine pistol. But once again, instead of going to prison, officials decided to deport Garcia and he was sent back to Mexico.

Police say Garcia didn't stay south of the border for long. Police in Baldwin Park, CA say he was selling drugs there. Garcia was also been charged in two separate drive-by shootings. Police think Garcia was well-aware that if he were caught again he wouldn't get by with a slap on the wrist and a trip back home to Mexico. He'd be locked up for life.  He reportedly told friends he would never be taken alive.

Routine Patrolling Turns Deadly For Sherrif's Deputy

On April 29, 2002, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy David March became the victim of Garcia's pledge.  He was patrolling the streets of Los Angeles when he pulled over a 1989 black Nissan.  As always, he entered the licence plate number into his computer and got out to speak wth the driver.  He never made it to the car.  Police say he was ambushed and there was a scuffle with the driver. Then police say the driver pulled out a gun and shot Deputy March over and over again, hitting him multiple times in the face, neck and chest.  The driver then hopped in his car and fled, leaving the officer to die.

Investigation into the case uncovered a picture of the car, a photo of the driver, and then a name.  Cops say the man is Armando Garcia.  A call went out to search for the black Nissan and every officer in California was on the hunt.  A day later the car was found, but Garcia was nowhere to be found.  Law enforcement officials continued to search for Garcia while they laid their comrade to rest, but to no avail.

Now cops fear that Garcia managed to get a ride south and made his way back over the border, eluding U.S. justice once again.

Widow Furious at Mexican Extradition Laws

Teri March, David's widow is left to care for their young daughter.  Like most families of murder victims, she searches for closure and justice.  She yearns to see Armando Garcia stand trial and face the charges of murdering her husband, but it is possible that may never happen.  Mexican officials refuse to hunt for, arrest and extradite Garcia.  They object to the idea that Garcia may be subject to the death penalty as cop killers often are in the state of California.

The only hope Teri and the law enforcement community in Southern California has is that Garcia may try, once again, to come back to the United States.  Then, it's just a matter of finding him and bringing him to justice. 

Garcia Gets Life For Deputy Murder

Armando Garcia was supposed to have a routine preliminary hearing on March 2, 2007, but it turned out to be anything but.  The 30-year-old drug dealing Mexican national pled guilty to one count of second degree murder with special allegations for using a gun to commit the murder and intentionally killing a peace officer in the line of duty. 

Pomona Superior Court Judge Charles Horan immediately sentenced Garcia to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  As part of the plea bargain, two counts of attempted murder and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm were dismissed.  

Garcia read a statement, via a translator, apologizing to Deputy David March's relatives, friends, and colleagues.  Garcia never looked at the family who were quiet as he spoke, "I know this will not take the hatred you feel for me...I only want forgiveness for what I have done and I know you will forgive me at an appropriate time."

District Attorney Steve Cooley said that it was a proud day for the justice system and a lot of credit has to go to the March family.  Sheriff Lee Baca said that "when it comes to murder, there is no justice.  However, there is accountability.  Today Garcia accounted for his crime."

Teri March, David's widow, vowed to finish her husband's work the day she found that Garcia had fled to Mexico to hide behind a justice system she felt was broken.  On March 2, 2007 she said that "it's over  The fight is finally over."

Garcia's Extradition May Pave A New Path

On January 9, 2006, the Mexican government turned over to U.S. authorities the man charged with the 2002 killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy David March.  Armando Garcia was taken by airplane from Mexico City, where he was in jail, to Tijuana. A SWAT unit from the Mexican federal police escorted him.  A convoy of local and federal authorities then took him into U.S. custody just after 5 in the morning.

The extradition marks a victory for Los Angeles prosecutors and local police, who have been trying for several years to get Garcia to stand trial.  Detectives allege that after shooting March during a traffic stop in Irwindale, Garcia fled to Jalisco, Mexico.  He was arrested in February of 2006.

Mexican police helped in the search, but at that time the extradition of fugitives to the U.S. from Mexico was in dispute.  Mexican judges balked at allowing Mexican nationals to be returned to a country where they could face the death penalty or life in prison.  However, in 2004, Mexico's Supreme Court ended a four-year argument with the U.S. over extradition by ruling that thousands of slaying suspects could be returned. 

Garcia's extradition marks the first time a fugitive facing murder charges has been returned to the United States since the Mexican Supreme Court decision in 2004 and could mean a new era for U.S.-Mexican relations.

Suspect In 2002 Deputy Slaying Arrested In Mexico

Law enforcement in Los Angeles are breathing easier knowing that the lead suspect in the 2002 slaying of one of their own has been brought to justice.  Cops believe that it was Armando "Chato" Garcia that was responsible for the 2002 slaying of Deputy David March.  Police say that Garcia was a suspected drug dealer who had vowed to kill any law enforcement officer who stood in his way.

On February 23, 2006, Garcia was arrested in the city of Tonala in the western part of the Mexican state of Jalisco.  He was taken into custody outside of an uncle's house that was being staked out by U.S. Marshals and Mexican police.  The arrest was a result of a year and a half of surveillance by US and Mexican law enforcement agencies working together.  Cops say that Garcia was discovered working as a small player in a moderate sized drug cartel.  He was planting, cultivating, and transporting marijuana and other drugs including methamphetamines. 

Unlike his life in the United States, cops say Garcia had confined himself to an extremely rural existence.  He was found living in a mountainous, jungle-like area, without electricity or running water.  Police also say Garcia was paranoid about getting caught so he stayed to himself and refused offers to visit local cities and towns or to travel into northern Mexico for fear of being discovered. 

Police credit America's Most Wanted tipsters for pointing them in the right direction.  AMW tips led cops to Garcia's relatives and associates who in turn shared Garcia's habits, likes and dislikes, eventually directing them to Garcia's whereabouts. 

Garcia is currently in Mexico City awaiting extradition to the United States.