Danbury Man Charged with Murder

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport has returned a three-count indictment charging ALEX GARCIA, 37, of Danbury, with murder, assault and a firearms offense related to the January 17, 2000 murder of Mark Rebong in Danbury.

The indictment was returned on October 22, 2015.  GARCIA is in custody serving an unrelated state sentence.

On January 17, 2000, at approximately 11:02 p.m.., Mark Rebong was discovered in the driver’s seat of an idling vehicle in the vicinity of Exit 2 off of I-84 in Danbury. Mr. Rebong had had been shot once in the head and died as a result of his injuries.

The indictment alleges that, on January 17, 2000, GARCIA, who was then a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”), murdered Mr. Rebong in order to maintain or increase his position in the Latin Kings and for pecuniary gain.

“In a tragic case of mistaken identity, Mark Rebong, who was neither a member of a gang nor engaged in any criminal activity, was shot and killed as he drove to work,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “I want to commend the dedicated law enforcement investigators for their relentless search for those responsible for this senseless murder.  Although over 15 years have passed, the law enforcement team never forgot Mark.  We hope that this indictment brings his family some small measure of solace.”

The indictment charges GARCIA with the murder in aid of racketeering of Mark Rebong. If convicted of this offense, GARCIA faces either a mandatory lifetime term of imprisonment or the death penalty, should the government seek the death penalty in this matter.

The indictment also charges GARCIA with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering of Mark Rebong.  If convicted of this offense, GARCIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Finally, the indictment charges GARCIA with use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in Mark Rebong’s death.  If convicted of this offense, GARCIA faces either a mandatory lifetime term of imprisonment or the death penalty, should the government seek the death penalty in this matter.

This matter is being investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven District Office, the Danbury Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Correction and the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Lee Dayton.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.