Roswell Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison After Armed Encounter with Police
ALBUQUERQUE / Wednesday, September 30, 2026 – A Roswell man who fired a handgun while fleeing police officers during a foot pursuit was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on May 16, 2025, Roswell Police Department detectives conducting a crime suppression operation attempted to contact Daniel Garcia, 39, after observing him walking in the roadway. The detectives activated their vehicle’s emergency lights, exited the vehicle, and identified themselves as police officers. Garcia fled on foot, clutching a satchel across his chest, and one of the detectives pursued him.
During the pursuit, the detective heard a gunshot and observed a muzzle flash coming from Garcia’s location. The detective returned fire, striking Garcia in the lower extremities. Detectives apprehended Garcia and recovered a handgun near him.
During an interview with investigators, Garcia admitted possessing the handgun but claimed it accidentally discharged into the ground while he was running. He also claimed he did not realize the detectives were law enforcement because they were not wearing uniforms and he had not seen their emergency lights. Garcia acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction for trafficking methamphetamine.
Garcia pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Upon his release from prison, he will be subject to three years of supervised release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.
The Roswell Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Roswell Police Department. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
