Arrests of Wallace Hodge-Munoz and Leonel U. Garcia-Concepcion on Carjacking Charges |
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FBI San Juan Division
Special Agent Moises Quiñones
February 26, 2014
Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Carlos Cases of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) San Juan Division announced the arrests of Wallace Hodge-Munoz and Leonel U. Garcia-Concepcion for carjacking and carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime. On February 26, 2014, Wallace Hodge-Munoz and Leonel U. Garcia-Concepcion were taken into custody by the FBI.
The criminal complaint states that on October 19, 2012, Victim 1 was driving a vehicle with Wallace Hodge-Munoz and Leonel U. Garcia-Concepcion as passengers.
Victim 1, Hodge-Munoz, and Garcia-Concepcion drove to Barrio Jagueyes Pajilla, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, the area was dark and isolated. Hodge-Munoz pointed the weapon at Victim’s 1 head and fired four times.
Victim 1 succumbed to the sustained wounds, causing the vehicle to lose control onto the side of the road. After shooting Victim 1, Hodge-Munoz and Garcia-Concepcion exited the vehicle. A short time later, Victim 2 approached the area of the crime scene in her vehicle. Victim 2 slowed her vehicle down because she thought there was a car accident ahead on the road. Hodge-Munoz and Garcia-Concepcion, both bearing Glock pistols, proceeded to approach Victim’s 2 vehicle.
Victim 2, in fear for her life, stopped the vehicle after observing Hodge-Munoz pointing a firearm at her. Victim 2 exited her vehicle. Hodge-Munoz and Garcia-Concepcion entered Victim’s vehicle and drove away.
Eventually, Hodge-Munoz and Garcia-Concepcion lost control of Victim’s 2 vehicle while driving away and crashed the same nearby.
If convicted, the defendants face up to a maximum of 22 years’ imprisonment for taking a vehicle from a person by force and violence or by intimidation (carjacking) and for the use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Zenon, and it is being investigated by the FBI.
The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.