Forestville man gets 15 years in jail for handgun, cocaine

Monday, Aug. 18, 2008

Forestville man gets 15 years in jail for handgun, cocaine

by Greg Holzheimer | Staff writer

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A Forestville man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Monday for illegal possession of a handgun and for distributing cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.

Roberto Garcia, 33, was arrested in September 2006 after he tried to sell cocaine to an undercover Montgomery County Police officer in Silver Spring. To try to hide the drug evidence, Garcia swallowed about 3.5 grams of cocaine, requiring him to be hospitalized.

Officers found 1.32 grams of cocaine and a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and nine rounds of ammunition at Garcia's home. Because Garcia has prior convictions for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and robbery with a dangerous weapon, as a felon it was illegal for him to possess the handgun and ammunition.

He pleaded guilty in the case.

Garcia's attorney could not be reached for comment.