MILAN, N.M. – Dennis Dean Garcia, a 34-year-old man from Grants, New Mexico, was seen in Federal Court on February 2 for allegedly smuggling 104 grams of methamphetamine into the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, N.M. Garcia was indicted for these charges on January 25. Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Goldaris is prosecuting this case; all people are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. According to court documents, Garcia had been employed at CCCC from January 2019 to February 2021.
On Feb. 22, 2021, correctional officers watching security footage allegedly witnessed Garcia move to a storage room, remove an unidentifiable item from his pocket and place it inside of a box. Unclear on what the item was, investigators took the box to the warden’s office where they discovered the item was a package carrying 104 grams of methamphetamine.
The United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General worked with the Albuquerque District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division to investigate this case after the initial methamphetamine was allegedly discovered. After an investigation, Garcia was arrested. He is currently facing one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams and More of Methamphetamine; and one count of Attempt to Provide Contraband in Prison. If convicted on the drug charge, Garcia is facing a minimum sentence of 10 years, and a maximum sentence of life in prison; If convicted on the contraband charge, Garcia is facing a sentence of 20 years in prison. “It's an unfortunate reality that people in all professional positions can become involved in criminal activity,” said Greg Millard, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “But the men and women of the DEA will investigate those who commit such crimes and keep them accountable.” Cloey C. Pierce, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Dallas Field Office said, “Garcia allegedly smuggled drugs into the Cibola County Corrections Center, compromising the safety and security of the institution.”