Garcia Cleared of Drug Ring Allegations
Brian Knapp Jul 13, 2008
Seven days in jail gave World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight
contender Leonard Garcia
(Pictures) time to think, pray, hope
and despair. What else can a man do with his reputation on the line
at age 28?
Arrested by federal authorities in Texas on March 27 for his alleged involvement in a suspected drug trafficking ring, Garcia was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Had the charges stuck, they could have netted the talented Texan a three-year prison term.
Garcia, however, was cleared of all federal charges last week.
Released on a recognizance bond in April, he spent two months under
house arrest. A possible state charge for obstruction of justice
still hangs over his head, though it would net him only probation
if he were convicted.
"My attorney called me and told me [federal prosecutors] didn't feel like it was something they wanted to take to trial," said Garcia, who claims his entire ordeal was a matter of guilt by association. "The federal guys looked at the case and determined they didn't have enough evidence."
"It was a shock," Garcia said. "There were some times when it looked bad, but I hadn't been around those guys in two, two and a half years. It was like a nightmare. I went from being on top of the world to being stuck in jail with a bunch of nobodies. It's definitely something I never want to go back to."
Six weeks before he found himself in handcuffs, Garcia (11-3) made a triumphant return to the WEC promotion, as he knocked out the highly regarded Hiroyuki Takaya (Pictures) in 91 seconds at WEC 32 in Albuquerque, N.M. His stock was on the rise, and the victory put him on a short list of potential contenders for Urijah Faber (Pictures)'s featherweight crown. Two months away from regular training, however, have left Garcia in a state of limbo.
"I couldn't do anything [on house arrest]," he said. "I tried to run with the ankle monitor on, but it cut into my ankle. Two months of training is a long time [to miss], especially when you're trying to fine-tune your skills. I feel like I have lost time to make up for."
The incident gave him a new appreciation for what was at risk in terms of his professional mixed martial arts career. A fighter in his prime, Garcia has much to lose.
"I feel like they tried to take my life away," he said. "I went from having everything to losing everything in a matter of seconds. It made me realize that if I have the opportunity to do something, I need to go for it."
Garcia hopes to land a fight on the WEC card in September, though nothing has been finalized. His trainer, Greg Jackson, has not seen Garcia since his arrest four months ago but plans to welcome him back to the Jackson's Submission Fighting camp in New Mexico soon.
"It's impossible to tell how this affected him as a fighter without seeing him," Jackson said. "Leonard's a really tough guy with a strong heart, and he needs to get back in there. I think he learned that you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time when you hang out with old friends."
Garcia burst on the international MMA scene at UFC 69 in April 2007, when he went toe-to-toe with lightweight contender Roger Huerta (Pictures) in a memorable three-round slugfest in Houston. The duo landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated soon after. Respected for his toughness, Garcia has yet to be finished in 14 career bouts.
"He's one of those nice guys, and he's a talented fighter who's got your back if something goes down," Jackson said. "He's super loyal, always there when you need him."
Garcia also put to rest speculation that he had been dumped by the WEC, even though his profile was removed from the promotion's Web site following his arrest. He said his manager remained in close contact with WEC officials throughout the ordeal.
"I was terrified that's what was going to happen," Garcia said, "but they never cut me."
Arrested by federal authorities in Texas on March 27 for his alleged involvement in a suspected drug trafficking ring, Garcia was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Had the charges stuck, they could have netted the talented Texan a three-year prison term.
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"My attorney called me and told me [federal prosecutors] didn't feel like it was something they wanted to take to trial," said Garcia, who claims his entire ordeal was a matter of guilt by association. "The federal guys looked at the case and determined they didn't have enough evidence."
Garcia was one of 13 individuals targeted by the sting, which
hatched out of five federal indictments. The suspected ring
operated in a nearly 300-mile-wide swath in Texas, from El Paso to
Lubbock, according to law enforcement officials. The arrest forced
Garcia to re-examine the friends with whom he surrounds
himself.
"It was a shock," Garcia said. "There were some times when it looked bad, but I hadn't been around those guys in two, two and a half years. It was like a nightmare. I went from being on top of the world to being stuck in jail with a bunch of nobodies. It's definitely something I never want to go back to."
Six weeks before he found himself in handcuffs, Garcia (11-3) made a triumphant return to the WEC promotion, as he knocked out the highly regarded Hiroyuki Takaya (Pictures) in 91 seconds at WEC 32 in Albuquerque, N.M. His stock was on the rise, and the victory put him on a short list of potential contenders for Urijah Faber (Pictures)'s featherweight crown. Two months away from regular training, however, have left Garcia in a state of limbo.
"I couldn't do anything [on house arrest]," he said. "I tried to run with the ankle monitor on, but it cut into my ankle. Two months of training is a long time [to miss], especially when you're trying to fine-tune your skills. I feel like I have lost time to make up for."
The incident gave him a new appreciation for what was at risk in terms of his professional mixed martial arts career. A fighter in his prime, Garcia has much to lose.
"I feel like they tried to take my life away," he said. "I went from having everything to losing everything in a matter of seconds. It made me realize that if I have the opportunity to do something, I need to go for it."
Garcia hopes to land a fight on the WEC card in September, though nothing has been finalized. His trainer, Greg Jackson, has not seen Garcia since his arrest four months ago but plans to welcome him back to the Jackson's Submission Fighting camp in New Mexico soon.
"It's impossible to tell how this affected him as a fighter without seeing him," Jackson said. "Leonard's a really tough guy with a strong heart, and he needs to get back in there. I think he learned that you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time when you hang out with old friends."
Garcia burst on the international MMA scene at UFC 69 in April 2007, when he went toe-to-toe with lightweight contender Roger Huerta (Pictures) in a memorable three-round slugfest in Houston. The duo landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated soon after. Respected for his toughness, Garcia has yet to be finished in 14 career bouts.
"He's one of those nice guys, and he's a talented fighter who's got your back if something goes down," Jackson said. "He's super loyal, always there when you need him."
Garcia also put to rest speculation that he had been dumped by the WEC, even though his profile was removed from the promotion's Web site following his arrest. He said his manager remained in close contact with WEC officials throughout the ordeal.
"I was terrified that's what was going to happen," Garcia said, "but they never cut me."
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