Illegally-Entered Migrant Pleads Guilty to Menacing Near Albany

An undocumented migrant from El Salvador, Saul Morales-Garcia, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to lesser charges after being accused of threatening a federal prosecutor with a knife. He flashed a relaxed smile as he admitted to threatening US Attorney John Sarcone near the Albany Hilton on June 17.

Morales-Garcia, 40, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for misdemeanor charges of menacing and possessing a weapon. He was remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility, with the possibility of future deportation, although Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were not present at the hearing.

Officials state that Morales-Garcia had previously been deported from the U.S. and is now in the country illegally. He also has active warrants in at least three other states and federal court, raising the possibility of additional charges once he completes his current sentence.

Initially charged with attempted murder, those charges were dropped, as they are not eligible for bail. The district attorney indicated that Morales-Garcia might face further legal consequences after his time in Albany County.

“I believe that the federal government will start deportation proceedings,” commented Vincenzo Sofia, representing the prosecution.

Defense attorney Sofia described the attempted murder charge as “exaggerated,” emphasizing that the plea involved only misdemeanor charges. Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon explained the decision to accept the plea deal, aiming to resolve the case quickly and possibly address warrants in other jurisdictions.

“They want to pick him up once his sentence concludes, and we’re prepared for that,” said Kindlon.