Federal prosecutor John Sarcone found himself targeted in New York by an illegal immigrants with a criminal history.
U.S. attorney John Sarcone attacked
On Tuesday night, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, encountered a frightening confrontation outside a Hilton Hotel in downtown Albany.
Sarcone had just exited his office and was walking nearby, while smoking a cigar, when he noticed a man acting strangely.
“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,” Sarcone recounted, according to the Times-Union.
The man, later identified by authorities as 40-year-old Saul Morales-Garcia, allegedly came at Sarcone with a knife.
In response, Sarcone dashed into the hotel lobby and phoned Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple. Despite the threat, he returned outside watch the suspect.
“I didn’t want him to get away, and I yelled out at him,” Sarcone said. “He turns around, and he starts yelling again … and then he pulls the knife out, and then there’s this (gesture) across his throat thing, like he’s going to slit my throat, and then comes at me again, and I ran back towards the hotel, and then he stopped and then turned around.”
Officers arrived shortly after and took Morales-Garcia into custody. Sheriff Apple said that the suspect is a Salvadoran national who is residing in the U.S. illegally, according to WNYT.
Although Sarcone was unharmed, prosecutors wasted no time in bringing serious charges against the suspect.
Morales-Garcia now faces counts of second-degree attempted murder, second-degree menacing, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
District Attorney Lee Kindlon addressed the media outside the courthouse, stating, “It’s important that everybody understands that we take these things seriously – whether you’re the U.S. attorney for the Northern District or your name’s John Smith and you live on Morton Avenue.”
Authorities say Morales-Garcia told investigators he had no idea Sarcone was a federal official.
Migrant who attacked John Sarcone has lengthy criminal history
His public defender, Vincenzo Sofia, argued that the evidence does not support an attempted murder charge and asked the court to consider releasing the defendant under probationary supervision.
That request was denied, and the judge ordered Morales-Garcia to remain in custody without bail.
Officials revealed that Morales-Garcia has a felony conviction in El Salvador and was deported from the U.S. in 2010, but since returned to the country illegally.
Reports indicate that Morales-Garcia has a criminal history across at least three states, and currently has an outstanding warrant.
He was found guilty in Monroe County, Georgia, for driving under the influence and operating a vehicle without a license in 2022.
The following month, he failed to appear in court, prompting a bench warrant from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.
In December 2023, Morales-Garcia faced charges from federal Park Police in Virginia for disorderly conduct, threatening behavior, public intoxication, and having an open alcohol container.
Five months later, he was reportedly charged with retail theft in Pennsylvania.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were reportedly present at the courthouse on Wednesday, as Morales-Garcia and at least one other person living in the U.S. illegally had scheduled hearings.
ICE agents shoot rubber bullets at violent protesters
On the same day as Morales-Garcia’s hearing, chaos broke out in Portland, Oregon, as federal agents were forced to take action against violent agitators who targeted an ICE building.
#BREAKING: Homeland Security gave Antifa multiple warnings to disperse from the Portland ICE building. Several vehicles needed to exit.
When the militants refused, officers moved in and unleashed their full fury. Multiple people have been arrested. @choeshow|@TPUSA pic.twitter.com/pX1xqnEC2r— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA) June 19, 2025
Masked agitators descended on the facility, ignoring orders to disperse by authorities.
Video captured the moment when Border Patrol Tactical Unit officers deployed rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash bangs to push back the crowd.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that five arrests were made, with charges including assault on federal law enforcement.
Last night, Portland rioters violently targeted federal law enforcement— 250 rioters launched fireworks, shined lasers in officers’ eyes to temporarily blind them, and stormed an ICE field office. Ultimately, five individuals were arrested on various charges including assault on… pic.twitter.com/bCaMA9yKai
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 19, 2025
“We won’t sit idly by and watch these cowards,” the department posted on social media.
“Secretary Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law.”
As the sun set on Portland, hundreds of demonstrators carried signs that read, “No borders” and “Nobody is illegal on stolen land.”
Many arrived equipped with helmets and respirators, preparing for confrontation.
The situation grew more violent as the night went on. Rioters set off fireworks, aimed lasers at officers’ eyes, and attempted to block entrances using a dumpster.
Federal agents stationed on the building’s rooftop responded with rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Additional agents moved in from the ground, making arrests and clearing the area.
