Paul Garcia, a 34-year-old former Santa Cruz County resident, was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment for his role in a federal methamphetamine trafficking operation.
The sentencing was handed down by the Hon. Edward J. Davila, United States District Judge, on December 18, 2023. Garcia was arrested in July 2019 after Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Deputies seized a stash of drugs from a Santa Cruz motel room he was using, including more than two pounds of heroin, 440 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and pills.
Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 6, 2020, on one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). He initially pleaded guilty to the charge on December 18, 2023.
Garcia’s arrest in July 2019 marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for the defendant. He was released on a $100,000 bond in February 2020 but failed to report to the Santa Rita Jail facility as ordered. Garcia became a fugitive and was eventually arrested on April 18, 2021, after Sunnyvale police officers approached him in a motel parking lot.
Garcia fled through the motel with officers in pursuit, and during the chase, he retrieved a pistol from his waistband and fired two shots at the officers before being taken into custody. The pistol was found loaded in the motel room during the initial search in July 2019.
“Disrupting drug trafficking in Santa Cruz County is a priority for our office,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “Anyone who traffics drugs in Santa Cruz County, or anywhere else in the Northern District, particularly while armed, should know that federal criminal convictions come with serious prison time.”
Paul Garcia, 34, formerly of Santa Cruz County, was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment. He is currently serving a 29-year prison term concurrently. In addition to the prison term, Judge Davila ordered Garcia to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michael G. Pitman and Daniel N. Kassabian are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Sahib Kaur. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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