The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on April 5, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, ANTONIO GARCIA, a 24-year-old resident of Seattle, Washington, appeared for sentencing. GARCIA was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 46 months

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 5 years

GARCIA was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On February 3, 2010, a buy/bust was arranged at a motel in Seattle, Washington. C.B., through law enforcement-monitored text messages and phone calls, had arranged for Mauro Bonilla to distribute 27 ounces of cocaine to him. Bonilla arrived at the motel and was detained. He was found to have no controlled substances on his person. Subsequent investigation led to a determination that GARCIA was down the street two blocks away with the cocaine. GARCIA then arrived at the hotel within 10 minutes and was detained and found to have approximately 27 ounces of cocaine on his person.

When questioned, GARCIA estimated that he had distributed cocaine to C.B. through Bonilla on three occasions for a total of 37 ounces. GARCIA stated that he had been distributing 1-2 ounces of cocaine per week to Bonilla for approximately 5 months (20-40 oz. total).

Bonilla pled guilty to federal charges and has been sentenced.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that GARCIA will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, GARCIA does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

 

Return to Top