Amtrak Shooter’s Partner Admits Drug & Gun Conspiracy

Tucson, AZ – Devonte Okeith Mathis, 24, of Mesquite, Texas, has copped a plea deal in connection with the October 4, 2021, ambush on an Amtrak train that left DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo dead and two other federal officers wounded. Mathis isn’t the shooter, but the feds say he was a vital cog in the drug conspiracy that brought the violence to the rails.

According to court documents, Mathis admitted to conspiring to distribute marijuana, knowing full well his accomplice was packing heat. He acknowledged that the firearms were intended to protect their illegal operation. The shooter, identified only as Mathis’ co-conspirator, opened fire on the agents before being killed by return fire. The scene was chaos, and Garbo paid the ultimate price.

The feds aren’t detailing the specifics of the drug operation – size, scope, intended destination – but the charges indicate a significant quantity of marijuana was at the heart of the scheme. Mathis’ guilty plea covers conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, using a firearm during a drug crime, and possession of a firearm furthering drug trafficking. Each count carries serious weight.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a hefty sentence for Mathis. While the conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years and a $250,000 fine, the firearm charges trigger a mandatory minimum of five years behind bars. Given the death of a federal agent, expect the feds to push for the maximum. Sentencing is scheduled for May 24th before Judge Rosemary Márquez.

The investigation, led by the FBI, remains largely shrouded in secrecy. Details on how investigators connected Mathis to the shooter and the drug plot haven’t been released. Sources say witness testimony and informant tips were crucial, but the feds are keeping a tight lid on the evidence. The loss of Agent Garbo has hit the DEA hard, and they’re determined to see all those responsible held accountable.

This case, designated CR-21-2714-TUC-RM-MSA (release number 2023-035_Mathis), serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is handling the prosecution, promising to pursue a sentence that reflects the gravity of the crimes and honors the memory of Agent Garbo. Contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, for further information.