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A Las Cruces man was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison by a federal court after pleading guilty to shooting a man during a fentanyl drug deal gone wrong.
In 2022, Rudy Garcia, 38, arranged for the victim and an acquaintance to buy drugs from Garcia’s ex-wife, according to a news release. The release states that Garcia became worried about the deal because he thought that the victim had developed a reputation of committing “drug rips,” meaning he might rob the dealer.
After the deal was complete, Garcia walked the victim to his car where Garcia claims he thought the victim reached for a gun. Garcia then pulled out his shotgun and killed him, according to the release.
Investigators from the FBI and the Las Cruces Police Department investigated this case. The U.S. Attorney prosecuted it.
Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, using a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, discharging said firearm, and causing death through use of said firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release from prison, Garcia will be subject to three years of supervised release.
