Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SAN JUAN, P.R. – A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against José Soto-Febus for committing three carjackings in the Dorado area, and firearms violations, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, Dorado District Attorney’s Office.

The indictment alleges that on or about July 11, 2018, in the District of Puerto Rico, José Soto-Febus, while carrying and brandishing a firearm, did take a motor vehicle, to wit: a 2016 Jeep Cherokee, that had been transported, shipped and received in interstate or foreign commerce, from the a person and in the presence of others, by force, violence and intimidation, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. This carjacking was committed after a home invasion in which Soto-Febus was shot by the male victim residing in the residence. The defendant walked down the street, stopping in front of another residence where there were people outside. Soto-Febus pointed a firearm at several of the women in front of this residence, and a man threw him the keys to a Jeep Cherokee.

Soto-Febus then departed in the Jeep, which he crashed. He then proceeded on foot and pointed a firearm at an oncoming vehicle, a 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage. The driver of this vehicle, a female, stopped the vehicle. Soto-Febus grabbed her by the hair, and threw her on the pavement. The defendant then drove away in the Mitsubishi Mirage. Later that same night, Soto-Febus arrived at a business called El Almendro, and demanded that the owner of a red motorcycle give him the keys. While making his demands, Soto-Febus brandished a firearm. The owner of the red motorcycle, a Honda Model XR, ultimately complied with Soto-Febus’s demands. Soto-Febus then drove away in the red motorcycle. During each of these events, the defendant brandished a Taurus pistol.

Soto-Febus is also facing one count for being a felon in possession of a firearm, that is, a .40 caliber, Taurus pistol, said firearm having been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Alum. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 15 years of imprisonment for each of the carjacking charges, up to life imprisonment for three of the firearms charges, and up to ten years for possessing a firearm as a felon. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

# # #