Sex offender and previous felon gets more prison time for meth possession

LAREDO, Texas – A 43-year-old Laredo native has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute a large quantity of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. 

Daniel Marco Garcia pleaded guilty Sept. 4, 2020.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered him to serve 168 months in prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

At the hearing, the court heard that Garcia is currently serving a 57-month sentence for an unrelated firearms case, has a prior alien smuggling conviction and is a convicted sex offender. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo noted his extensive criminal record.

“Methvis a vicious poison that continues to cause horrific and long-term damage to the quality of life in many of our communities across our Nation,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “In Laredo, and all across the Southwest Border, DEA and our partners continue to target drug traffickers and shut down their operations at all levels.”

On July 11, 2018, Garcia planned to transport meth within Webb County. However, authorities stopped him for a traffic violation during his trip, at which time they conducted a search of his vehicle. They soon found six bundles of meth hidden inside a black bag within the vehicle weighing approximately six kilograms.

The drugs had an estimated street value of $37,000.

He has been and will remain in custody.

The DEA conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Crystal Monkey with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, Webb County Sheriff’s Office and the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Jennifer Day and former AUSA Chris dos Santos prosecuted the case.

OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. Its mission is to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States through prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency task forces that leverage the authorities and expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement.