Member of Latin Kings Admits to Shooting and Killing Motorist in 2000: DA

Danbury, CT — United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly announced Wednesday that a Danbury man pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to a federal firearms offense related to the January 17, 2000 murder of Mark Rebong in Danbury.

Daly said in a statement that according to court documents and statements made in court, on January 17, 2000, at approximately 11:02 p.m.., Mark Rebong was found shot in the head of idling vehicle near Exit 2 off of I-84 in Danbury. 

The investigation revealed that Alex Garcia, 37, of was a member of the "Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation," also known as the “Latin Kings”. According to the report, on the night of the murder, Garcia was driving with a "high-ranking member of the Latin Kings," who saw Mark Rebong driving near them on the highway. This gang member reportedly told Garcia to shoot at Rebong’s vehicle.  Garcia shot two rounds into the vehicle with an assault rifle, Daly said.

The report said that Mark Rebong was not a member of a gang or engaged in any criminal activity.

“This defendant brutally and senselessly murdered Mark Rebong mistaking him for someone else,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Mark was a complete innocent gunned down while driving to work, which makes his death all the more tragic.  I thank the DEA, Danbury Police and State Police for never abandoning the search for Mark’s killers, and for achieving justice for Mark and his loved ones.  We hope that this conviction brings his family some measure of solace.  The investigation of this matter continues.”

Daly said that Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  His sentencing date is set for September 20, 2016. If convicted, he could face a maximum term of life in prison.

Garcia is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges. Court records show he was convicted in 2007 for a number of offenses in 2004 and given a combined 40-year sentence for the following:

• Attempt To Commit Murder
• 4 Counts of Accessory To Assault 1st Deg
• 2 Counts of Conspiracy To Commit Assault 1st Deg

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