1st Hispanic judge named for Southern District of Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The first judge of Hispanic heritage has been named to serve in the federal Southern District of Indiana.

Mario Garcia will fill a new magistrate judgeship created for the district by the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Chief Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson of the Southern District announced Garcia's selection Friday.

A judicial merit selection committee reviewed 31 applications and recommended five candidates. The district judges interviewed the five candidates and selected Garcia.

Born in Bloomington, Garcia studied law at Indiana University School of Law'“Indianapolis, where he graduated in 1999.

U.S. magistrate judges are appointed by the judges of the U.S. District Court for a term of eight years and are eligible for reappointment to successive terms.

Garcia's appointment will be effective no earlier than April 1 following background investigations.