By Roger Lanse

Josias Garcia, 25, of Columbus, NM, was sentenced in federal court in Las Cruces on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, to 16 years in federal prison for several offenses. According to a U.S. Department of Justice, District of New Mexico, press release, Garcia pleaded guilty on Feb. 26, 2019, to one count each of hostage taking, conspiracy to take a hostage, brandishing a firearm during or in relation to a drug trafficking crime, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, transportation of goods intended to be smuggled, and attempt to smuggle goods from the United States; two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; three counts each of hostage taking and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens; and four counts each of being a felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with a witness by intimidation or threat.

In a plea agreement, according to the release, Garcia admitted picking up illegal aliens at the United States-Mexico border on Nov. 6, 2017, and transporting them to a mobile home in Columbus, NM, where he and another person held them as hostages for four days. Garcia also admitted that he intimidated these hostages with threats of violence, including brandishing a firearm he was forbidden to possess because of a previous felony conviction, and demanding the families of the hostages send money for their release. Garcia also admitted, according to the release, possessing marijuana at the mobile home with intent to distribute.

Garcia also admitted, the release said, traveling to El Paso, Texas, to buy firearms he intended to smuggle into Mexico, but was prevented because he encountered officers with U.S. Border Protection as he attempted to leave the country. He also admitted trying to intimidate witnesses against him after his arrest by using threats and violence.

Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys prosecuted the case.