On Monday, U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down an 8-year federal prison sentence to 40-year-old Richard Salino Garcia for the possession of a firearm and ammunition, a direct violation of federal law due to his status as a convicted felon. The sentencing follows Garcia's bench trial conviction on April 29. Garcia, a resident of Pasco County, was also mandated to forfeit the Taurus 66, .357 caliber revolver, and assorted ammunition found at the scene of his arrest, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The incident that led to Garcia's arrest and subsequent sentencing took place on December 2, 2022. Behind a closed business, Garcia was approached by a Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputy investigating a loitering and prowling complaint. During the encounter, as Garcia made motions towards his waistband, the deputy decided to pat him down for weapons. Resisting the deputy's actions, Garcia fled, triggering a chase that ended with both of them struggling on the ground.
During the struggle, the deputy repeatedly attempted to subdue Garcia, who kept trying to reach for his waistband—where a holster containing a loaded .357 revolver was later retrieved. With the aid of local citizens, the deputy was able to detain Garcia until backup officers arrived. According to court documents from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Garcia's criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, such as fleeing to elude and felony battery, making it unlawful for him to possess firearms or ammunition.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative that aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust and legitimacy within communities, supporting organizations focused on violence prevention, and strategically prioritizing law enforcement efforts. As a part of the Department of Justice’s renewed strategy since May 26, 2021, the program emphasizes measuring results to ensure the effectiveness of its principles. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, carried out the investigation into Garcia's case, which was then prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman, the U.S. Attorney's Office reports.
