Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

San Bernardino Gun Buyer Will Remain in Custody

(CN) - The man federal prosecutors say bought the assault rifles used to kill 14 people this month in San Bernardino, Calif. will remain in custody without bail, a federal magistrate judge ruled Monday afternoon.

In denying the accused bail, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bristol said Marquez's defense attorneys failed to offer any evidence contradicting prosecutor's assertion that the defendant is a flight risk who could potentially be a threat to the community.

Enrique Marquez Jr., 24, did not enter a plea during the hearing, as was widely expected, after conferring with federal public defenders.

He arrived at the federal court in Riverside, Calif. shortly before 10 a.m. local time for a bail and detention hearing and the initial proceedings before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bristol lasted roughly 10 minutes -- long enough for a sidebar conference between the judge, the two federal public defenders assigned to the case, and the prosecutor.

Marquez has been charged with three counts: Conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, Making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms, and fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents.

While the attorneys and Judge Bristol conferred, the defendant sat largely motionless at the defense table, clothed in a white jumpsuit, with both his hands and feet in shackles.

Bristol continued the case to later today to give Marquez's attorneys time to meet with him.

He is alleged to have told investigators he bought the assault weapons two years ago when he and San Bernardino gunman Syed Rizwan Farook were planning attacks on Riverside Community College and State Route 91.

Those plans eventually unraveled, but Marquez turned the guns over to his friend. Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik used the guns in the attack on the Inland Regional Center, which also left 21 wounded.

The couple was later shot dead by police.

Marquez is being represented by Deputy Federal Public Defenders Young Kim and Angela Viramontes.

A preliminary hearing in the case is currently scheduled for Jan. 4 at 4:30 p.m. That could change is a grand jury indictment is filed before then.

Marquez's arraignment is currently scheduled to take place on Jan. 6 at 9:30 a.m.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...