A Corpus Christi man identified as a member of the Tango Blast gang has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Kristian Ariel Garcia, 28, was found guilty after a one-day bench trial on Feb. 18.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Garcia to 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The court took into account Garcia’s violent criminal record, which includes convictions for murder, burglary of a habitation, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.
During the sentencing hearing, additional evidence was presented showing that Garcia had broken into his girlfriend’s home, kidnapped her and her 18-month-old daughter, and held them captive. Evidence also indicated that he drugged the child to keep her quiet during the incident. Judge Ramos noted that Garcia had previously been convicted of murder for fatally stabbing a woman.
“Violent felons like Mr. Garcia have no business possessing firearms,” Ganjei said. “This sentence sends a strong message to other felons—handle a firearm and we will hand you a prison term.”
The charges stemmed from an incident on Jan. 9, 2021, when authorities stopped Garcia for driving without headlights. Before stopping the vehicle, Garcia handed his gun to his then-girlfriend and told her to hide it. When law enforcement recovered the weapon, they found blood and organic matter on it. Investigators determined that less than 24 hours earlier, Garcia had used the gun to assault a man while stealing his cellphone.
At trial, it was established that Garcia had prior felony convictions at the time he possessed the firearm, making it illegal for him to own or possess firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Garcia will remain in custody until he is transferred to a facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Peña prosecuted the case.
