May 12, 2023
Press Release
A guilty plea in a case scheduled for trial next Monday resulted in a Wellington resident, Jesus Jessie Garcia, being found guilty on two consecutive convictions and sentences.
Garcia, 55, was sentenced to 22 years in prison in one case where he pleaded guilty to the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group one, methamphetamine, with intent to deliver.
Garcia also pleaded guilty and received a five-year sentence for a Childress County case enhanced to a second degree felony of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group one, methamphetamine.
The 100th Judicial District Attorney Luke Inman, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Garcia was first arrested in Childress County on June 6, 2022, by the 100th Judicial District Attorney’s Traffic Enforcement Division Investigator Todd Gambol.
“The best part about these two prison sentences is that the judge ordered them to run consecutively,” said Caudle. “Garcia taking a consecutive sentence plea will require him to serve the bulk of the 22-year-sentence first before the five-year sentence even begins to run. Due to Todd’s great work, there is now one less undesirable living amongst us.”
While on felony bond, Garcia was arrested for the second time in Collingsworth County by Gambol on November 28, 2022.
Both offenses began with traffic violations against Garcia where he was found in possession of methamphetamine.
The Collingsworth County Grand Jury indicted Garcia on February 23, 2023 to four different counts. The case was immediately then set for a trial to take place on May 15, 2023.
Garcia assaulted Gambol and attempted to take his taser, according to court documents.
“We are beyond blessed in our five-county district to have Todd, along with Danny Dawson and Coy Teichelman, working directly for the 100th DA’s Office and focusing almost exclusively on drug crime,” said Inman. “Coy and Danny primarily work I-40 and US Hwy 287 focusing on interstate drug corridors, with Todd primarily working directly in our small towns cleaning out the local dealers and users.”
According to court documents, the charges Garcia faced were enhanced due to a previous felony conviction.
“These pleas today were great for the taxpayers of both Collingsworth and Childress Counties and all Texas residents,” said Inman. “Garcia is gone from both communities and will serve a substantial amount of time in the Texas pen where he belongs. Given his age, and 27-years worth of stacked sentences, I don’t think he will ever make it back to our communities to continue his shenanigans.”
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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