MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a federal jury found a Texas man guilty last week of transporting methamphetamine for later sale.
Brian Manuel Garcia, 27, of Welaco, Texas, was found guilty Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. After the conclusion of the three-day trial, the jury deliberated for two hours before delivering the guilty verdict. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. presided over the trial.
According to the evidence presented, a Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s deputy stopped a speeding vehicle on Interstate 20 carrying Garcia and Alberto Trevino, 34, also from Welaco, Texas, on July 5, 2016. The deputy searched the vehicle and found marijuana and a beer box in the trunk. Inside the box were four plastic bags containing 4,027 grams of methamphetamine. Trevino later admitted they were traveling to Mississippi to deliver drugs to a buyer.
Garcia faces at least 10 years to life in prison for both counts. Garcia’s sentencing is set for April 20, 2017. Trevino pleaded guilty on Dec. 20, 2016 to conspiracy. Trevino’s sentencing was set for March 16, 2017. They also face five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine.
The DEA and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Drucker and Allison D. Bushnell are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
