Final Defendant Guilty in East Texas Drug Trafficking Scheme

TYLER – A 28-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to drug trafficking violations. Phillip Andrew Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, on March 9, 2011, Garcia and two co-conspirators traveled from Houston to Tyler with 2 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in the area. Garcia admitted that he possessed between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in East Texas. Garcia and four others were indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011. Garcia faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. All of Garcia’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.