Father and son spared jail time in Mangilao attack

For a case of mistaken identity, co-defendants Jeffrey Garcia and Jeremiah Garcia are spared jail time. The case unfolded in december 2022 involving the father and son charged in attacking a teenage boy in Mangilao.

The victim exclusively shared his story with KUAM, saying the pair mistakenly targeted him. Both are now on track to get the charges expunged from their criminal record.

Father and son co-defendants Jeffrey Garcia and Jeremiah Garcia taking the prosecutions plea deal, as Attorney Curtis Van De Veld said, "This is a plea arrangement that has been done for convenience and not because in fact they are guilty of any crime."

The assault misdemeanor case going before Judge John Terlaje in superior court today. The case of mistaken identity getting public scrutiny after a violent video circulated online.

As KUAM reported, the 17-year-old victim was walking home from his grandmother’s rosary in Mangilao on December 2022 when he was confronted by the Garcias.

The duo, at the time, were going after a thief they spotted on their property when they chased after the teen. The teen suffered multiple injuries as he tried to tell the Garcias they got the wrong guy.

"It wasn’t him and that’s what bothers me," he said.

His family then spoke to KUAM seeking justice. "This is something that will follow him the rest of his life," he shared.

The victim’s family tells KUAM today the victim has since moved back to his home island and is doing ok. The Garcias declined comment after their court hearing.

Van De Veld says his clients took a deferred plea, meaning it will be wiped from their criminal record following a year probation. "I believe they will be able to complete their conditions and they will have their cases expunged within a year, which is what the agreement is between the parties," he said.