TUCSON, AZ – Devonte Okeith Mathis, 24, of Mesquite, Texas, will spend the next decade in federal prison for his role in the October 4, 2021, Amtrak train shooting that claimed the life of DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo. Mathis received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges related to a large-scale marijuana trafficking operation.
Mathis wasn’t pulling the trigger, but he was undeniably part of the setup. Federal prosecutors laid out a case showing Mathis knowingly aided and abetted his co-conspirator, providing support for a drug run that escalated into a deadly firefight. The pair were traveling on the Amtrak when the co-conspirator opened fire on DEA agents, resulting in Garbo’s death and injuries to two other officers.
The charges against Mathis included Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Using and Carrying a Firearm During and In Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. The feds successfully argued Mathis knew his partner was armed with two handguns and understood those weapons were integral to protecting their drug shipment. He admitted it was reasonably foreseeable the firearms would be used during the trafficking operation.
The shooting triggered a chaotic scene, ultimately ending with the co-conspirator being killed in an exchange of gunfire with a Tucson Police Department Sergeant. While the immediate threat was neutralized, the damage was done. Agent Garbo was gone, and other officers were left wounded, a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those sworn to uphold the law. The incident sent shockwaves through the DEA and law enforcement agencies nationwide.
U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino called the sentencing a step towards closure, but acknowledged the lasting impact of the tragedy. “This case demonstrates the inherent risks associated with drug trafficking and the violence it often breeds,” Restaino stated. “We honor Agent Garbo’s sacrifice by relentlessly pursuing those who enable such criminal activity.”
Mathis will also face 60 months of supervised release after completing his 10-year sentence. The feds hope this case sends a clear message: facilitating drug trafficking with firearms carries severe consequences. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to unravel the full scope of the drug conspiracy and any other potential co-conspirators who may have been involved.
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