NEWS HEADLINES: Deported Criminal HUNTS U.S. Prosecutor with Knife

U.S. Attorney John Sarcone was moments away from having his throat slit by a previously deported Salvadoran migrant during a terrifying knife attack outside Albany’s Hilton Hotel.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. Attorney John Sarcone was chased by knife-wielding illegal immigrant Saul Morales-Garcia, who threatened to slit his throat in downtown Albany
• Morales-Garcia, previously deported from the U.S., has an extensive criminal record across multiple states and a felony conviction in El Salvador
• Security footage captured the assailant lunging at Sarcone with a knife as the prosecutor retreated to safety in the hotel lobby
• Morales-Garcia has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and is being held without bail
• The incident has intensified debate about illegal immigration and public safety policies in New York

Federal Prosecutor Narrowly Escapes Deadly Attack

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, John Sarcone, was enjoying a cigar outside the Hilton Hotel in Albany when he noticed a man behaving strangely nearby. What began as a moment of relaxation quickly turned into a life-threatening encounter when Saul Morales-Garcia, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, began shouting in a foreign language before pulling a knife and lunging at the federal prosecutor. Security footage would later confirm the harrowing chase that ensued as Sarcone fled into the hotel lobby for safety, immediately contacting Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple for assistance.

“I got my eye on him, then I turn back and I’m in front of the Hilton, and I’m just standing there, and I’m looking at him … and he then starts yelling at me in his language that I don’t understand … I’m smoking a cigar. I don’t say anything to him … and then he pulls the knife. He’s lunging towards me, and I’m still standing there with the cigar,” said U.S. Attorney John Sarcone.

Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene and apprehended Morales-Garcia without incident. During his arrest, authorities seized a knife that had been in his possession, which was collected as evidence. Despite Morales-Garcia’s claim that he was unaware Sarcone was a federal prosecutor, officials have charged him with attempted second-degree murder, felony weapons possession, and menacing. Court documents reveal that the suspect specifically threatened to slit Sarcone’s throat during the unprovoked attack, which prosecutors have described as a “random” street encounter.

Criminal History Raises Serious Immigration Questions

Investigations into Morales-Garcia’s background have revealed a troubling pattern of criminal behavior spanning multiple states. The Salvadoran national had previously been deported from the United States but somehow managed to re-enter the country illegally. His criminal record includes offenses in at least three states, including a threatening incident in Virginia, and a felony conviction in his native El Salvador. This extensive history of criminal activity across jurisdictions highlights the persistent challenges in tracking and managing individuals with international criminal backgrounds.

“It’s important that everybody understands that we take these things seriously — whether you’re the US Attorney for the Northern District or your name’s John Smith and you live on Morton Avenue,” said Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon.

The attack on a high-ranking federal prosecutor has intensified the ongoing national debate about border security and the effectiveness of immigration enforcement policies. Critics argue that the incident represents a systematic failure to protect American citizens from individuals with known criminal histories who have entered the country illegally. Morales-Garcia’s ability to remain in the United States despite his previous deportation and criminal record has raised serious questions about gaps in the immigration enforcement system and the coordination between federal agencies and local jurisdictions.

Political Fallout and Calls for Reform

The attack has triggered immediate political reactions, particularly from Republican representatives who have long advocated for stricter immigration policies. New York Representative Elise Stefanik publicly criticized Governor Kathy Hochul, claiming her administration’s policies effectively shield violent illegal immigrants from proper legal consequences. The incident comes at a time when immigration policy remains one of the most divisive political issues in the nation, with the Biden administration facing ongoing scrutiny over border security measures and deportation practices.

“I know the streets,” and noted that his father was a detective in Westchester County. He said he kept a safe distance from the man and retreated into the hotel lobby before calling Sheriff Craig Apple, whose mobile number is in his contacts. “I’m a resident of the city of Albany, and I can’t … I don’t feel safe to go out for a walk and have a cigar right near the state Capitol,” said U.S. Attorney John Sarcone.

Sarcone, who was appointed to his position in March by Attorney General Pam Bondi, emerged physically unharmed from the incident. A native New Yorker from Croton-on-Hudson with what he describes as a “humble, blue-collar background,” Sarcone credits his awareness of street safety, learned from his detective father, with helping him escape the potentially deadly situation. Neither the Northern District of New York nor the Department of Homeland Security has issued official comments regarding the attack, despite repeated requests from media outlets seeking clarification on how Morales-Garcia was able to remain in the country following his previous deportation.