ALBANY, NY - District Attorney P. David Soares announced today that ANGEL GARCIA, 69, formerly of Albany, was arraigned before the Honorable Roger McDonough yesterday after an Albany County Grand Jury returned a sealed indictment alleging that he sexually abused two children that were known to him.
The charges that were unsealed allege that GARCIA committed (1) Count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Felony, and (1) Count of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony.
Between June 2016 and December 2018, GARCIA allegedly abused two children that were known to him at a residence in the City of Albany.
GARCIA pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in custody.
GARCIA is a former Deacon that was stationed at Church of the Americas in Albany who was previously convicted of sexual crimes against a different child.
On August 14, 2014, GARCIA was found guilty after jury trial of (2) Counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, both Class D felonies. On two occasions between the dates of May 2003 and October 2003, GARCIA did engage in sexual contact with a child under the age of 11 that was known to him. On September 17, 2014, GARCIA was sentenced to 5 years in State Prison, in addition to 10 years of Post-Release supervision before Honorable Judge Stephen W. Herrick in Albany County Court.
However, GARCIA appealed to a higher court and applied for a stay of judgment and bail pending his appeal, which was granted. The People prevailed on appeal, but GARCIA’s failure to surrender following the expiration of the order granting the stay and bail led to a delay in his return to custody.
“This case is an unfortunate reminder that there are predators in our communities. While this convicted defendant was out on bail pending appeal, he allegedly continued to commit crimes against children that he had access to. This case reminds us that fail-stops like community supervision and timely court notices are important for all stakeholders in the court system to employ to avoid tragic outcomes like this,” commented DA David Soares.
For more information please contact Cecilia Walsh at (518) 275-4710 or [email protected].
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