Las Cruces Felon Sentenced for Firearm-Related Drug Trafficking Death

A Las Cruces man was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison for fatally shooting another man during a fentanyl drug deal, following his guilty plea to multiple federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, on January 24, 2022, Rudy Garcia, 38, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, arranged a deal for the victim and an acquaintance to purchase 100 fentanyl-laced pills for $500 from Garcia’s ex-wife. Prior to getting the pills, Garcia and the victim had a conversation at a motel where Garcia let the victim know he had a shotgun and displayed the shotgun so that it was visible to him. Garcia expressed concern that the victim had developed a reputation for conducting "drug rips" and did not want any trouble during the deal.

After obtaining the pills, Garcia and the victim walked together to a vehicle. As they were getting in, Garcia claimed he saw the victim reach for a pistol. Feeling threatened, Garcia exited the vehicle, pulled out his shotgun, and shot the victim. The victim died from the gunshot wound.

Garcia was arrested and charged with conspiracy, distribution of fentanyl, using and discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime resulting in death, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Following his arrest, Garcia admitted to his involvement in the drug deal and the shooting during an interview with detectives. Surveillance footage and witness accounts corroborated the events leading to the victim’s death.

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

Upon his release from prison, Garcia will be subject to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Randy M. Castellano prosecuted the case.

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