Sergeant Major Jorge E. Garcia was found to be in possession of 24 lbs. of methamphetamine in San Ysidro, California. This is a representative image, not a photo of the accused.
In an unfolding story that seems lifted straight from the pages of a novel, Sergeant Major Jorge E. Garcia, a (formerly) distinguished member of the U.S. Army stationed at the renowned Fort Liberty (the military post formerly known as Fort Bragg) in North Carolina, finds himself ensnared in grave allegations involving drug trafficking, involvement with organized crime and misuse of government funds. It doesn’t get much more serious than this, folks unless bodies start turning up. And yes, that has happened more than once a Fort Bragg…errr Liberty, in the past as well.
This venerable facility, the bedrock for the esteemed 82nd Airborne Division and a nexus for the Army’s top-tier special operations units, is no stranger to controversy, particularly with its recent history of drug-related offenses. However, Garcia’s case might just put them all to shame, given his high-profile role as a career counselor for the Army’s Forces Command (FORSCOM).
SGM Garcia stands accused of orchestrating an elaborate and illicit operation that spanned continents, involving the smuggling of methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border. Military prosecutors paint a picture of Garcia as a man who frequently ventured outside the country without authorization between 2021 and 2022, engaging in the clandestine transportation of meth, deceiving his unit about his whereabouts, and even misusing his government travel card for personal indulgences at a strip clubs in the vicinity of the Pentagon. His alleged liaisons with gangs over the internet to coordinate this drug trafficking adds a modern twist to his purported criminal endeavors.
The saga of Garcia’s downfall began to unfold in earnest in May 2023 when he was apprehended in San Ysidro, a Californian border town close to San Diego and found with a staggering 24 pounds of methamphetamine intended for distribution. This arrest followed a series of travels that included at least one trip to Tijuana, Mexico, and activities that prosecutors suggest were in aid of a criminal gang with extremist inclinations.
Garcia’s financial misadventures also came to light with the revelation of a $241.89 expenditure at The Flirt Lounge in Arlington, Virginia, a transaction made in October 2021 on his government-issued travel card, seemingly for leisure rather than any official business. This is serious, but admittedly the least of his worries these days.
This incident at Fort Liberty, a base that has witnessed the highest number of overdose deaths among all military installations, according to Pentagon data, underscores a troubling trend. The base’s location within Corridor H, a notorious route for drug trafficking as identified by the Justice Department, perhaps provides a backdrop to this and other similar incidents.
In an unfolding story that seems lifted straight from the pages of a novel, Sergeant Major Jorge E. Garcia, a (formerly) distinguished member of the U.S. Army stationed at the renowned Fort Liberty (the military post formerly known as Fort Bragg) in North Carolina, finds himself ensnared in grave allegations involving drug trafficking, involvement with organized crime and misuse of government funds. It doesn’t get much more serious than this, folks unless bodies start turning up. And yes, that has happened more than once a Fort Bragg…errr Liberty, in the past as well.
This venerable facility, the bedrock for the esteemed 82nd Airborne Division and a nexus for the Army’s top-tier special operations units, is no stranger to controversy, particularly with its recent history of drug-related offenses. However, Garcia’s case might just put them all to shame, given his high-profile role as a career counselor for the Army’s Forces Command (FORSCOM).
SGM Garcia stands accused of orchestrating an elaborate and illicit operation that spanned continents, involving the smuggling of methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border. Military prosecutors paint a picture of Garcia as a man who frequently ventured outside the country without authorization between 2021 and 2022, engaging in the clandestine transportation of meth, deceiving his unit about his whereabouts, and even misusing his government travel card for personal indulgences at a strip clubs in the vicinity of the Pentagon. His alleged liaisons with gangs over the internet to coordinate this drug trafficking adds a modern twist to his purported criminal endeavors.
The saga of Garcia’s downfall began to unfold in earnest in May 2023 when he was apprehended in San Ysidro, a Californian border town close to San Diego and found with a staggering 24 pounds of methamphetamine intended for distribution. This arrest followed a series of travels that included at least one trip to Tijuana, Mexico, and activities that prosecutors suggest were in aid of a criminal gang with extremist inclinations.
Garcia’s financial misadventures also came to light with the revelation of a $241.89 expenditure at The Flirt Lounge in Arlington, Virginia, a transaction made in October 2021 on his government-issued travel card, seemingly for leisure rather than any official business. This is serious, but admittedly the least of his worries these days.
This incident at Fort Liberty, a base that has witnessed the highest number of overdose deaths among all military installations, according to Pentagon data, underscores a troubling trend. The base’s location within Corridor H, a notorious route for drug trafficking as identified by the Justice Department, perhaps provides a backdrop to this and other similar incidents.
Amidst this raging storm of incredibly bad choices, Garcia has been held in military pretrial confinement since June 2023, with his legal representation unreachable for comments. The question of whether he has entered a plea remains open, as does the possibility of facing further charges in a civilian court.
This case adds to the growing ledger of drug-related offenses at Fort Liberty, including the recent sentencing of Gordon Custis, a former medic at the base, for his role in trafficking ketamine and laundering significant sums of money. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges and complexities facing military personnel in their fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse, both within their ranks and in the broader context of national security.
Keep in mind, this is still ‘Merica. SGM Garcia is considered innocent until proven guilty, but I must admit, things aren’t looking great for him.
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are
on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.