US attorney for New York, John Sarcone, had a terrifying encounter with a knife-wielding illegal Salvadoran migrant named Saul Morales-Garcia, who allegedly threatened to slit his throat. Sarcone, who was appointed by President Trump as the US attorney for the Northern District of New York, recounted the incident that took place outside the Hilton Hotel in Albany.
According to Sarcone, Morales-Garcia aggressively lunged at him multiple times on the street while screaming in a foreign language and gesturing that he would slice his throat. Sarcone, sensing the danger, decided to take action to prevent Morales-Garcia from potentially harming others.
Sarcone noticed Morales-Garcia after leaving his office in downtown Albany and kept an eye on him as he appeared to be acting erratically. When Morales-Garcia started screaming at him outside the hotel, Sarcone knew he had to act fast. The illegal migrant pulled out a knife and charged at Sarcone, who then ran to the hotel lobby for safety.
After alerting the local sheriff about the incident, Sarcone went back to the street to prevent Morales-Garcia from escaping. Despite the repeated threats from Morales-Garcia, Sarcone felt an obligation to protect the public and prevent further harm.
Morales-Garcia was immediately taken into custody by law enforcement and charged with attempted second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and menacing in the second degree. He has a criminal record in multiple states outside of New York and had been in the US illegally since 2021 after being deported previously.
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple commended Sarcone for his quick thinking and actions that likely saved lives during the incident. Governor Kathy Hochul reached out to Sarcone following the attack, expressing concern and sympathy. Sarcone took the opportunity to highlight the shortcomings of sanctuary city laws in preventing such incidents.
Morales-Garcia was remanded without bail following an initial hearing in Albany City Court. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with criminal backgrounds who are in the country illegally. Sarcone’s bravery and quick response in the face of danger are a testament to his dedication to upholding the law and protecting the community.
