U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Virginia Chuck Rosenberg - United States Attorney

MONROE MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR METH CONSPIRACY

United States Attorney John L. Brownlee announced today that Ciro Garcia, age 32, of Monroe, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

"Under the direction of Ciro Garcia, the members of this conspiracy brought more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine into the Lynchburg, Amherst, and Appomattox County areas. Garcia's 25 year sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions, and the danger this drug brings with it to our communities," said United States Attorney John Brownlee.

Garcia was sentenced by Judge Norman K. Moon in United States District Court in Lynchburg.

Co-defendant George Barbour was sentenced to 7 years and three months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.

Garcia plead guilty pursuant to a written plea agreement to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in March 2006.

Barbour plead guilty to a lesser charge of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine pursuant to a written plea agreement in March 2006.

According to evidence presented by Assistant United States Attorney Ed Lustig, Ciro Garcia was the leader of the conspiracy. Garcia would sell methamphetamine primarily to co-conspirator Travis Viar, who in turn, sold it to the other members of the conspiracy.

In February, 2004, co-conspirator Randy Ellington was arrested with half a pound of methamphetamine. Ellington would later tell authorities that he bought the methamphetamine from Ciro Garcia the night before his arrest.

The investigation was also aided by the cooperation of an informant who came to police after learning that Ciro Garcia had provided his parents methamphetamine that they were suppose to sell. However, instead of selling the meth, they started using it and became addicted. The informant went to Garcia and demanded that Garcia stop providing his parents with the addictive drug. When Garcia refused, the informant went to police. In the fall of 2004, at the direction of police, the informant was able to get Garcia to sell the informant methamphetamine to him directly on three separate occasions. On two other occasions, the informant, again acting under the direction of the police, obtained methamphetamine from George Barbour, who had obtained his methamphetamine from Ciro Garcia.

The case was investigated by the Central Virginia Task Force, with consists of agents and officers from the FBI, Amherst County Sheriff's Office, Lynchburg Police Department, Appomattox County Sheriff's Office, and the Virginia State Police.

Co-defendant Michael Cerillo will be sentenced on July 28, 2006.

Co-defendants Travis Viar, Randy Ellington, June Garcia, and Mark Guill will be sentenced on July 31, 2006.

Assistant United States Attorney Edward A. Lustig prosecuted the case.