ALBUQUERQUE - Earlier this week, a U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., found probable cause to support a methamphetamine trafficking charge against Juan Carlos Corral-Garcia. Today the Magistrate Judge ordered Corral-Garcia, 28, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, detained pending trial based on findings that he poses a risk of flight and danger to the community.
Corral-Garcia is charged by criminal complaint with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The criminal complaint alleges that Corral-Garcia committed the crime on Jan. 27, 2017 in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the complaint, a New Mexico State Police officer allegedly found 10.03 kilograms (22.12 pounds) of methamphetamine in Corral-Garcia’s vehicle during a routine traffic stop. The methamphetamine allegedly was contained in four clear packages each of which contained 20 smaller packages of methamphetamine.
If convicted of the charge against him, Corral-Garcia faces a statutory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security investigations and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
