A federal grand jury has indicted Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales, a 27-year-old illegal alien from Mexico accused of taking a Dallas ISD police officer’s firearm and shooting him during a struggle in August.
The indictment, returned September 16 and announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas on September 23, charges Pantoja-Morales with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
Officer Was Trying To Help Man Near LBJ
The incident happened on August 6 after Pantoja-Morales allegedly got out of a coworker’s vehicle and walked into the center median of Interstate 635/LBJ Freeway.
According to the federal complaint, the coworker flagged down a Dallas ISD police officer who was on routine patrol. The officer, identified in previous coverage as 39-year-old Justin Jones, gave Pantoja-Morales a ride toward a nearby safe location.
During the trip, Pantoja-Morales allegedly began going through Jones’ work bag in the back seat. Jones stopped the vehicle and attempted to remove him, leading to a physical struggle, The Dallas Express reported.
According to the complaint, Pantoja-Morales then allegedly grabbed Jones’ firearm and fired one shot, striking the officer in the femoral artery of his right leg. Jones was able to regain control of his weapon as Pantoja-Morales fled. He was apprehended shortly afterward.
Officer Suffered Serious Leg Injury
The gunshot caused a serious injury to Jones’ right leg. A fellow Dallas ISD officer provided medical assistance at the scene before Jones was taken to Parkland Hospital.
Previous reports said Jones underwent surgery after the shooting and was initially in critical condition. He remained in intensive care but was alert and speaking several days later.
Jones has served with the Dallas ISD Police Department for 16 years and is assigned to W.T. White High School.
Suspect Faces Federal Firearms Charge
The federal indictment adds a firearms charge to the state-level criminal case stemming from the shooting.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives-Dallas Field Office and the Dallas Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadin-Sarah Salkic is prosecuting the federal case.
Pantoja-Morales is awaiting transfer to federal custody pursuant to a writ of habeas corpus filed September 23, according to federal prosecutors.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said the case reflects the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and pledged to pursue the federal prosecution.
ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner also said the agency would continue working with law enforcement partners on federal firearms investigations.
An indictment is an allegation of criminal conduct. Pantoja-Morales is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Provided by Dallas Express
