Pinal shooting suspect was subject of deportation hearing

by Lindsey Collom - Aug. 18, 2010 02:11 PM
The Arizona Republic

Authorities say a man accused of shooting at deputies earlier this week was the subject of deportation proceedings earlier this year.

Ordeal began with child's 911 call: Father trying to get in house

Ambush in the desert: Deputy describes shootout

Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Sandoval, 38, is accused of violating an order of protection at his ex-wife's home in Arizona City and shooting at two Pinal County Sheriff's deputies who tried to make contact Monday evening. He remains on the loose.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say Gonzalez-Sandoval, a Mexican citizen, is a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Vincent Picard, an ICE spokesman in Phoenix, said the agency sought to revoke Gonzalez-Sandoval's residency status following convictions for multiple violent crimes. Authorities say he has 15 prior criminal cases.

In March, an immigration judge ruled in favor of Gonzalez-Sandoval and canceled the removal proceedings, Picard said. Details were not immediately available Wednesday.

The Sheriff's Office said Gonzalez-Sandoval was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center on an outstanding warrant July 14 and turned over to ICE for deportation. He was later released.

On July 17, deputies were called to his ex-wife's Arizona City home on reports that he violated a protection order. Sheriff's officials say deputies found Gonzalez-Sandoval nearby in his vehicle but that he sped away when they tried to make contact. The pursuit reached speeds above 100 mph and was called off due to Gonzalez-Sandoval's "blatant disregard for public safety," a Sheriff's Office statement said.

"This foreign-born criminal was in a gunfight with two of my deputies and previously fled from us at speeds over 100 mph," Sheriff Paul Babeu said. "This dangerous criminal has an extensive rap sheet and should have been deported. Why are we allowing these violent non-citizen criminals sanctuary in America?"

Gonzalez-Sandoval was last seen Tuesday night in Arizona City. Deputies once again tried to stop his 2003 Ford Mustang but terminated the pursuit "because of the unsafe manner in which Jose was driving," according to a Sheriff's Office statement.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 7 inches, and 140 pounds. His vehicle is described as a blue or teal 2003 Ford Mustang with 18- to 20-inch chrome rims, Arizona plate LMO-6651, and a spare tire on the rear passenger side.

Authorities consider Gonzalez-Sandoval to be armed and dangerous and urge anyone who sees the suspect or his vehicle to call 911.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/pina ... aring.html