A disabled Chula Vista man who illegally purchased assault weapons and smuggled ammunition in his wheelchair across the border to a Mexican drug cartel has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.
Sergio Garcia-Rico, 53, is also facing a Jan. 9 forfeiture hearing in which the U.S. government will seize his Farmerville St. house because the house was used to stash illegal drugs.
Garcia-Rico pleaded guilty to making a false statement in getting a firearm, attempted smuggling of goods into Mexico from the U.S., and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
U.S. District Court Judge Dana Sabraw gave him 70 months on each count, but ordered they run concurrently with each other. Garcia-Rico was arrested Jan. 21, 2014, and lived in an inmate medical ward for the last year because he is a quadriplegic.
His attorney, Ricardo Gonzalez, said his client had a work related accident that severed his spine in 2004 and had limited use of his hands. Gonzalez said in court papers the cartel stashed illegal drugs in Garcia-Rico’s home without his permission and he had no say in the matter.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said Garcia-Rico purchased firearms at gun shops and shows and delivered them to the Mexican drug cartel. He concealed his weapons in the back of his van and hid thousands of rounds of ammunition in the bottom of an electric wheelchair, according to the charges.
Luis Sanchez-Andrade, a friend who helped Garcia-Rico pack the weapons, was also sentenced by Sabraw to 10 months in prison. Sanchez-Andrade pleaded guilty to being an undocumented resident in possession of a firearm.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden described Garcia-Rico as “a bold and brazen gun trafficker” who exploited his physical limitations and avoided suspicion of border agents when crossing into Mexico.
“It is not difficult to perceive, when you are personally delivering assault weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition, what is going to happen to those weapons…and the amount of blood that is now on Mr. Garcia’s hands,” said Haden in court.
The judge told the defendant his trafficking activity had dangerous consequences. “It is obvious that these weapons are being used to kill people,” said Sabraw.
Sabraw also ordered Garcia-Rico to forfeit $11,000 in cash that was found in his van when he was arrested at the Otay Mesa port of entry. He ordered him to pay a $300 penalty assessment fee.
“I allowed myself to be taken advantage of by these people and I deserve to be punished,” wrote Garcia-Rico in a letter to the judge. “I allowed these people to convince me to commit a crime, which I am now paying for.”
