VERDICTS IN CITY OF MIAMI COPS CASE

Marcos Daniel JimPnez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Jonathan Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announce the return of verdicts in the City of Miami Cops case.

After a four-week trial and over two weeks of deliberations, a jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts as to all three defendants in connection with the November 7, 1995 fatal shooting of Antonio Young and Derrick Wiltshire after they jumped from the I-395 overpass above North Miami Avenue (the “I-395 Shooting”). The defendants, Jose “Pepe” Quintero, Jorge “Termite” Garcia and Israel “Izzy” Gonzalez were charged with participating in a conspiracy in which they planted guns at the scene of this police-involved shooting and made false and misleading statements to cover-up and justify their actions in the shootings.

Defendant Jose “Pepe” Quintero was found guilty of one count of conspiring to obstruct justice. Defendant Jorge “Termite” Garcia was found guilty of one count of conspiring to obstruct justice, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of perjury. Defendant Israel “Izzy” Gonzalez was found guilty of one count of conspiring to obstruct justice, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of perjury.

The conspiracy charge under Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The obstruction of justice charge under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(b)(3), carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The perjury charge, under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1623, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

A sentencing date has been set for July 2, 2004, at 9:00 a.m.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney’s, Edward N. Stamm and Curtis Miner.