United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

TWO FORMER FEDEX GROUND EMPLOYEES PLEAD GUILTY TO STEALING FIREARMS

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that JASON RODRIGUEZ, age 18, of 4 Bailey Street, Apt. B2, New Haven, Connecticut, and JONATHAN GARCIA, age 18, of 30 Bright Street, New Haven, have pleaded guilty to Informations charging them with stealing firearms that were traveling as part of interstate shipments. United States Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis accepted the pleas of guilty today in New Haven federal court.

According to documents filed in court, between February 2004 and March 17, 2004, RODRIGUEZ and GARCIA were employed as package handlers at FedEx Ground located in Wallingford, Connecticut. During that time, they stole firearms that were moving as part of interstate or foreign commerce. Specifically, GARCIA admitted that on March 17, 2004, he attempted to steal a firearm that was being shipped from Charter 2000 by opening up the package. GARCIA also admitted that on a previous occasion he had opened a box he knew to be shipped by Charter 2000 and removed a gray revolver. GARCIA tucked the firearm into the waistband of his pants and, upon exiting the terminal at the conclusion of his shift, tossed the firearm over the security fence to an area next to the vehicle that he would be riding home in. Upon clearing the security guard booth, GARCIA retrieved the firearm from the ground and departed the area. GARCIA then sold the firearm through an associate.

According to the documents filed in court, RODRIGUEZ also admitted to stealing three firearms from the FedEx Ground facility and then to selling those firearms to an associate.

Both RODRIGUEZ and GARCIA also admitted that in March 2004, they and another person stole two long guns from the FedEx Terminal by cutting a hole in the fence and pushing one of the windows out of the terminal.

"This Office will vigorously prosecute individuals entrusted with shipping and handling firearms who then steal those firearms and put them out on the street for anyone to acquire," U.S. O'Connor stated. U.S. Attorney O'Connor also stated that investigation is continuing.

When RODRIGUEZ and GARCIA are sentenced by United States District Judge Janet B. Arterton on June 30 and July 1, 2004, respectively, they each face up to ten years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov