Suspect in Attempted Assassination of Texas Judge Captured in New Orleans

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The suspect in the attempted assassination of a state judge in Austin, Texas, was captured in New Orleans after evading police in Houston.

The man is wanted for his alleged role in the attempted assassination of Texas District Court Judge Julie Kocurek in November 2015.

State and federal law enforcement officials arrested Marcellus Antoine Burgin shortly before midnight, Monday night, after he successfully evaded police in Houston on Friday afternoon. He was wanted in connection with a federal indictment unsealed Friday on racketeering schemes, according to information obtained by Breitbart Texas from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday.

The indictment, reported by Breitbart Texas on Friday, alleges that Chimene Onyeri, 28, Marcellus Antoine Burgin, 26, and Rasul Kareem Scott, 24, were involved in a scheme to commit wire fraud and identity theft. The conspirators allegedly attempted to kill Judge Kocurek in connection with their crimes. The suspects were charged with one count of conspiracy to participate in an enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and, one count of aggravated identity theft. Onyeri is also charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud; an additional count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and, six additional counts of aggravated identity theft.

When officers attempted to arrest Burgin, a resident of Cypress, Texas, on Friday, he led them on a high speed car chase in southwest Houston, as reported by Breitbart Texas. After crashing his vehicle, he took off on foot and eventually eluded police. The manhunt for the suspect led to his arrest in New Orleans Monday night.

Burgin is now in custody in Louisiana and is expected to appear in federal court on Tuesday. Alleged co-conspirator Scott is also in custody in Louisiana. Both men are expected to be transferred to the Austin District of the DOJ’s Western District of Texas. The alleged shooter in the attempted assassination of Judge Kocurek. Chimene Onyeri, is scheduled for a detention hearing on October 6.

“This multi-agency investigation uncovered a diabolical scheme that went from multi-faceted fraud to an attempt on the life of a State judicial officer,” United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. said in the written statement on Friday. “I commend the extraordinary efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayna Blazey, and the agents of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Austin Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service who brought this case to indictment.”

Judge Kocurek sustained serious bodily injury from multiple gunshots and shrapnel resulting from the attack, Breitbart Texas reported in November 2015. She was attacked while she was sitting in her car after returning to her home following an outing with friends. The injuries were critical, but she was reported to be in stable condition the following morning.

Kocurek has served as the presiding judge of the 390th District Court since it was created in January of 1999. She was appointed to the bench by then-Texas Governor George W. Bush. Since that time, she has handled several high-profile cases, including cases involving former Texas Governor Rick Perry and former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, WYFF4 reported. She served as the criminal court administrative judge from 2011-14.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.

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