Garza Pleaded Guilty to Sex Offender Non-Registration

BROWNSVILLE – A 60-year-old resident of Brownsville, Texas, Albert Frank Garza, has entered a guilty plea to one count of failure to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), according to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Garza, who was twice-convicted for first degree sexual abuse with a child under 12 in 1980 and indecent liberties with a child under 14 three years later, received sentences of 48 months and 10 years respectively. As a sex offender, he is required by SORNA to register annually and within three days of relocating.

Garza had been registered as a sex offender in Colorado until May 30, 2014. Despite acknowledging a follow-up date for June 1, 2015, he did not re-register after that. His whereabouts remained unknown until his arrest in September 2019.

Arrested on Sep. 24, 2019, Garza used the fictitious name of Martin Infante Garcia and claimed to be homeless. It was a street outreach advocate at a local shelter who recognized Garza from daily visits for breakfast between April and June 2019.

Although living in Texas since at least April 2019, Garza failed to register within the required three days upon arrival. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera accepted his plea and scheduled sentencing for Nov. 25. Garza faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. He will remain in custody until that hearing.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette prosecuting the case.

RELATED: Last Defendant in Texas Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Marijuana Ring Sentenced

RELATED: Pollock Prison Stabber Gets 77 Months