Arrest of Jose Paniagua Tolentino

FBI San Juan
20 November 2019

Public Affairs Officer Limary Cruz-Rubio
(787) 685-2066

SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office announced the arrest of Jose Paniagua Tolentino.

Carjacking subject Paniagua Tolentino was arrested this morning in Hato Rey by FBI San Juan special agents of the Violent Crimes Squad, after being detained on November 17, 2019 by Police of Puerto Rico (POPR) agents of the San Juan Criminal Investigations Corps (CIC).

Paniagua Tolentino was federally charged under a Complaint with violations of Title 18 U.S.C. § 2119(1)—Carjacking—and § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii)—brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence—for events which took place on Ponce de León Avenue in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on November 15, 2019 at approximately 9:45 p.m. If found guilty, the subject faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) David Henek and is being investigated by the FBI.

Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-754-6000, or to submit tips through the FBI’s tip line available on our website at tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

The public is reminded a Complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.