An illegal alien who was arraigned in Morgan County Circuit Court on Tuesday after firing an AR-15 into an occupied vehicle on December 2, 2024, may have been deported by immigration authorities from the United States, all but ensuring he will not face accountability for the violent incident.
According to The Decatur Daily, Antonio Sanchez Garcia, 34, of Horton, was taken to the Morgan County Jail on December 8, 2024, and placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold. Less than two weeks later, on December 23, Garcia posted a $5,000 bail and was released. A Morgan County grand jury indicted him on February 4, 2026.
Due to Garcia's possible deportation, his attorney, Jerrika Jones, filed a motion on April 27 to continue his arraignment. Jones requested that the circuit court not file a warrant for Garcia's failure to appear until he was tracked down.
"At this time, counsel has been unable to confirm Mr. Garcia’s exact custodial or immigration status despite diligent efforts and requires additional time to investigate and verify Mr. Garcia’s whereabouts," said Jones in the motion. "Mr. Garcia’s absence from these proceedings, if any, is not believed to be willful, but rather the potential result of federal action beyond Mr. Garcia’s control."
The motion was denied by Circuit Judge Stephen Brown.
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