Staff report

A man accused last week of an incident in which he is accused of shooting his girlfriend and year-old daughter appeared in federal court Monday on firearms and drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown’s office revealed.

James Anthony Madrid, 25, had an initial appearance because of a criminal complaint issued by the U.S. District Court charging him with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

According to information presented in court, local and federal agents responded Thursday to the 8700 block of Newfield Lane in Beaumont in connection with a shooting. Officers discovered Madrid’s 1-year-old child and girlfriend had been shot.

An investigation revealed Madrid had shot the girlfriend and child as individuals attempted to break into the house in connection with Madrid’s drug trafficking activities.  A search of the home revealed about 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, evidence of drug distribution and several firearms.

If convicted, Madrid faces up to life in federal prison.

Beaumont Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are investigating the case, which will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.