Corpus Christi, Texas – The grim saga of Kristian Ariel Garcia, a documented Tango Blast gang member, reached its somber conclusion as the 28-year-old faced federal prison for his firearm felony. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Garcia was found guilty following a swift one-day bench trial on February 18.
The sentence of 70 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, was handed down by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. The court considered Garcia’s violent criminal history, which includes murder, burglary of a habitation, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.
Additional harrowing evidence at the hearing revealed that Garcia had terrorized his girlfriend and her 18-month-old daughter, holding them captive after breaking into their home. The baby was drugged to maintain silence during the horror. Garcia’s conviction for murder following a stabbing death also weighed heavily in the sentencing.
“Violent felons like Mr. Garcia have no business possessing firearms,” Ganjei declared. “This sentence sends a clear message to other felons—handle a firearm and face prison.”
The incident that landed Garcia in court began on January 9, 2021, when he was stopped for driving without headlights. He handed the gun to his girlfriend, instructing her to hide it before authorities recovered the weapon, which had blood and organic matter on the slide. Investigation revealed Garcia used the firearm in a violent cellphone theft less than 24 hours prior.
At trial, it was noted that Garcia possessed the firearm while committing previous felonies, making him ineligible for firearms or ammunition under federal law. Garcia will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Corpus Christi Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Peña prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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