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Dan Markel— Case Archive
personpersonPatrick SanfordPatrick SanfordFBI special agent and lead investigator on the Dan Markel murder case, who testified as a prosecution witness in all four trials.← All People
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Patrick Sanford

Courtroom still of Patrick Sanford.

FBI special agent and lead investigator on the Dan Markel murder case, who testified as a prosecution witness in all four trials.

AppearedGarcia–MagbanuaMagbanua RetrialCharlie AdelsonDonna Adelson
5,394 lines·81 proceedings·23 mentions·4 trials

About

Sanford's testimony provides a recurring investigative foundation for records, recordings, surveillance, and the documented limits of those methods across four trials.

Patrick Sanford is an FBI special agent and eventual lead investigator who testified about the investigation's development, its records and surveillance, wiretap and undercover activity, and recorded communications. He described efforts to corroborate information, trace vehicles and travel, review financial and employment-related records, and investigate communications involving several people connected to the case. His testimony also addressed investigative limitations, including unrecorded or difficult-to-hear conversations, unavailable encrypted communications, and limits on attributing some calls or drawing conclusions from contact alone. Across the proceedings, lawyers questioned his handling of cooperation information, the scope of his review and investigative follow-up, recording policy and methodology, and the extent to which particular evidence directly connected individuals. He also authenticated or explained exhibits and recordings, while clarifying the context and limits of the material presented.

Trial Record (81)

GMGarcia–MagbanuaSep 26, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019Called by prosecution

On Days 7 and 8, FBI Special Agent Patrick Sanford testified about the investigation, Rivera proffers, recorded communications, and the undercover bump operation. Cross-examination tested investigative limits and his recording-transcript methodology; redirect and juror follow-up clarified portions of the evidence.

Day 2

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

ProceduralGang-Expert, Wiretap, and Dolce Vita RulingsMentioned

Summary

The court deferred the gang-expert decision, set a process for individual wiretap rulings, allowed the Dolce Vita undercover conversation subject to transcript foundation, and ordered wiretap materials shared before Monday.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 7

DirectPatrick Sanford - DirectPatrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman5highlights250lines spoken

Summary

FBI agent Patrick Sanford described the investigation, Rivera-proffer corroboration, and the undercover operation whose recorded calls were played for the jury.

Highlights (5)

testimony highlightSanford described using open-ended questions in Rivera's proffer and leaving an incorrect memory about when he received a ticket uncorrected so investigators could assess his account.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
testimony highlightSanford explained that the undercover operation was intended to prompt renewed communications and gather evidence about who created and committed the crime.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Show all 5 highlights
Quote“So we wanted to try to gather evidence on who was actually responsible for creating the crime and, and committing the crime.”— Patrick SanfordSanford described the investigative objective of the undercover operation.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Voir DirePatrick Sanford - Voir Dire (Christopher DeCoste)Patrick SanfordChristopher DeCoste1highlight50lines spoken

Summary

Sanford said his work with difficult recordings rested on experience and repeated listening rather than specialized training or certification.

Highlights (1)

Quote“I haven't received any training in that exact area, but I've been working on it for over 20 years and, and done it many a times. And...”— Patrick SanfordSanford distinguished formal training from his practical experience with difficult recordings.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 8

CrossPatrick Sanford - CrossPatrick SanfordChristopher DeCoste2highlights826lines spoken

Summary

Magbanua's counsel challenged Agent Sanford on Rivera's role, investigative gaps, the undercover bump, and the unrecorded Rivera proffer.

Highlights (2)

Quote“And it was my mistake for not taking a picture of it.”— Patrick SanfordSanford accepted responsibility for the lack of a contemporaneous image of the original undercover-bump flyer.Open in transcript →
admissionSanford acknowledged that Rivera's statement was the point at which investigators obtained the warrant for Magbanua's arrest.Open in transcript →
RedirectPatrick Sanford - Redirect (Resumed)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman1highlight30lines spoken

Summary

Sanford addressed cash records and Magbanua's claimed employment; after a sidebar ruling, the court admitted a text-message exhibit.

Highlights (1)

Quote“From Charlie Adelson, "Put that you work in the office not at home." Then the response from Ms. Magbanua is, "No shit, Sherlock." Then Ms. Magbanua again says "LOL." Then she says again, "I don't know pay period dates. Can you call me? I'm driving." Mr. Adelson responds, "Our pay period is Monday through Monday."”— Patrick SanfordSanford read the text exchange used by the State in redirect concerning Magbanua's claimed work for the Adelson Institute.Open in transcript →
Jury QuestionsPatrick Sanford - Juror Question Follow-up by GarciaPatrick SanfordSaam Zangeneh1highlight4lines spoken

Summary

Sanford said the April 28 call record did not establish who made the call from a handset associated with Garcia.

Highlights (1)

testimony highlightOn follow-up after juror questions, Sanford said he could not recall which handset placed the April 28 call associated with Garcia, and confirmed that no voicemail was left and he could not identify who made the call.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
KMMagbanua RetrialMay 18, 2022 – May 27, 2022Called by prosecution

FBI Special Agent Patrick Sanford testified about the investigation, wiretap and undercover operations, and the recorded communications presented by the State. Cross-examination challenged investigative methods and his earlier understanding of recording policy; redirect addressed cooperation, call-evidence limits, and investigative context.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 1)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights198lines spoken

Summary

FBI agent Patrick Sanford described investigative follow-up, surveillance, and wiretap calls involving the Adelsons and Katherine Magbanua; the court admitted State's Exhibits 99 and 53.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightSanford testified that investigators found no wiretap communications between Rivera and Adelson family members and described the communications links he identified in the collected data.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“No, they were not. We scrubbed those records thoroughly. I passed the numbers to the DEA and ATF, those case agents, and thoroughly went over it with them to find any connections between any of the parties.”— Patrick SanfordSanford described the scope of investigators' review when addressing whether the wiretap showed Adelson-family communications with Latin King members.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 6

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 2)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights191lines spoken

Summary

Sanford described undercover recordings, the admitted letter used to prompt contact, and phone evidence; he testified that Magbanua had not called the undercover number and later used a burner phone.

Highlights (2)

rulingOver defense objections, the court permitted Sanford to give his assessment of what he heard in the recording while leaving interpretation of specific statements to the jury.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“After the interview attempt, yes, she started turning it on and off, and went and got a -- what we call a burner phone.”— Patrick SanfordSanford described the phone-use change the State presented as relevant to later surveillance difficulties.Open in transcript →
CrossPatrick Sanford - CrossPatrick SanfordChristopher DeCoste2highlights1,065lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel challenged Sanford's investigation and Rivera's reliability through recordings, prior statements, and exhibits; Sanford acknowledged an unrecorded Rivera proffer and a mistake about recording policy.

Highlights (2)

impeachmentSanford acknowledged that the September 30 Rivera proffer was neither recorded nor reported, and he later said his earlier deposition understanding of the recording policy had been mistaken.Open in transcript →
Quote“I was mistaken at the time, and I believe when we made those recordings, the policy wasn't even in place yet.”— Patrick SanfordSanford acknowledged that his earlier account of the recording policy was mistaken.Open in transcript →
RedirectPatrick Sanford - RedirectPatrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights20lines spoken

Summary

FBI Agent Patrick Sanford offered an alternative explanation for text-message evidence, and the court admitted State's Exhibit 135 without objection.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightSanford testified that surrounding text-message content offered an explanation other than Magbanua coming to work at the Adelson Institute: Mr. Adelson was apparently taking out her wisdom teeth.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“Apparently Mr. Adelson was taking out Ms. Magbanua's wisdom teeth, I believe.”— Patrick SanfordSanford identified an alternative explanation for the text-message context raised on redirect.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RedirectPatrick Sanford - Redirect (Resumed)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights57lines spoken

Summary

FBI Agent Patrick Sanford addressed recorded communications, financial evidence, and investigative limits on resumed redirect; the court admitted Defense Exhibit 29 and sustained a hearsay objection.

Highlights (2)

rulingAfter overruling an improper-opinion objection, the court permitted Sanford to answer whether prior testimony attributed to Katherine Magbanua was consistent with the clarified Dolce Vida conversation; he answered that it was inconsistent.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“It's where you protect yourself by not sharing all the information that you have with other people, and that way those people can't use things against you or whatever. But it's a term we use in law enforcement a lot, of walling someone off.”— Patrick SanfordSanford explained the investigative term the State used to address why recorded conversations did not include certain names.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 7

CACharlie AdelsonOct 26, 2023 – Nov 6, 2023Called by prosecution

FBI Special Agent Patrick Sanford testified as the lead investigator, authenticating investigative records, vehicle-tracing evidence, and wiretap and undercover recordings across Days 1, 4, and 5.

Day 1

DirectPatrick Sanford - DirectPatrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights207lines spoken

Summary

FBI agent Patrick Sanford described divorce, surveillance, toll, rental, and employment records used in the investigation, including a rental contract identifying Luis Rivera and checks issued to Katherine Magbanua.

Highlights (2)

Quote“We were. We were able to determine the approximate -- approximate year range of that type of vehicle based on the body style and going to the Toyota dealership and other experts and were able to determine that it was a 2006 to 2009 Toyota Prius with a -- "Silver Pine Mica" is the name of the paint, which is kind of light green.”— Patrick SanfordSanford explained how investigators identified the suspected vehicle's model range and color.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 3

Day 4

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Recall)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman1highlight150lines spoken

Summary

Sanford authenticated wiretap and undercover recordings, described the 2016 bump and ensuing calls, and helped introduce related exhibits.

Highlights (1)

testimony highlightAfter three calls between Donna Adelson and Charlie Adelson, the State played a call from Charlie Adelson to Katherine Magbanua; Sanford testified that she was the next person he called.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 5

CrossPatrick Sanford - Cross (Recall)Patrick SanfordDan Rashbaum2highlights180lines spoken

Summary

Sanford acknowledged no established burner-phone evidence for Charlie Adelson, Magbanua's false statements about the undercover, and gaps in a key recording as the defense challenged the investigation's inferences.

Highlights (2)

impeachmentRashbaum elicited Sanford's agreement that Katherine Magbanua made several false statements to Charlie Adelson about calls to the undercover; Sanford also said he was frustrated during her proffer interviews. The court sustained the State's objection to a question about whether Sanford believed her.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RedirectPatrick Sanford - Redirect (Recall)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights13lines spoken

Summary

Sanford clarified the breakup timeline, continued contact, and surveillance of Katherine Magbanua and Sigfredo Garcia.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightAfter reviewing text messages to refresh his recollection, Sanford placed Katherine Magbanua and the Defendant's breakup around August 25, 2014, and said they remained in contact to varying degrees until the arrests.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
DADonna AdelsonAug 22, 2025 – Sep 4, 2025Called by prosecution

FBI Special Agent Patrick Sanford authenticated and explained recorded calls, surveillance, wiretap evidence, and the undercover operation across Days 4 through 6. Defense cross-examination tested the investigation's limits and travel-arrest evidence; redirect addressed the context and availability of the full recorded calls.

Day 4

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 1)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights135lines spoken

Summary

FBI agent Patrick Sanford described Prius corroboration, authenticated wiretap and undercover-contact evidence, and recounted the calls and surveillance that followed the contact.

Highlights (2)

evidence eventSanford described Rivera's account of an accidental gunshot in the rented Prius and testified that investigators later located the vehicle, photographs, a bullet hole, and a repair to the fuel line; State's Exhibits 48 through 52 were admitted.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“The bump is where we took an undercover agent and had him approach mrs. Adelson with a plan.”— Patrick SanfordSanford explained the purpose of the undercover contact introduced through the testimony.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 5

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 2)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman1highlight219lines spoken

Summary

Sanford presented wiretap and undercover-operation recordings, including the bump contacts and later calls among the Adelsons, Magbanua, and Garcia.

Highlights (1)

testimony highlightSanford testified that the FBI had not publicly disclosed use of a rental car in the murder, then the State played the Dolce Vita recording involving Charlie Adelson and Katherine Magbanua.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 6

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 3)Patrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman1highlight90lines spoken

Summary

Sanford testified about Magbanua's proffers, a recorded call discussing international travel, Donna Adelson's airport arrest, and a 2014 planner listing Dan Markel's vehicle tag number.

Highlights (1)

testimony highlightSanford testified that investigators confirmed travel through Dubai to Vietnam and arrested Donna Adelson at the Miami International Airport jet bridge; he said she resisted the seizure of her phone.Open in transcript →
CrossPatrick Sanford - CrossPatrick SanfordJackie L. Fulford2highlights612lines spoken

Summary

Sanford acknowledged limits in the investigation's direct evidence, described wiretap monitoring and Donna Adelson's airport arrest, and agreed Magbanua had lied in earlier trials.

Highlights (2)

RedirectPatrick Sanford - RedirectPatrick SanfordGeorgia Cappleman2highlights36lines spoken

Summary

Sanford addressed the extortion account, travel timing, and recorded-call context; the court sustained one objection to a probable-cause question.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightSanford confirmed that the planned Bar Mitzvah was after Donna Adelson's 2023 attempted flight and said he was not aware of a return flight booked in time for it.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“So we didn't torture everyone with listening to constant Charlie Adelson and everybody else talking about things that are not relevant to the case.”— Patrick SanfordSanford explained the stated purpose for selecting portions of the recorded calls presented to the jury.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 9