Alma Garcia

Sentence: 5 years, 10 months
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances
Year sentenced: 2007
Age at sentencing: 47
Priors: None
Projected release date: Feb. 19, 2013

After enduring violent political persecution and bloody civil war in her native El Salvador, Alma fled to the United States in 1990. She was determined to make a better life for herself and her young children in Minnesota. Alma was approved for a work authorization card and labored long hours in a myriad of jobs including housekeeper, waitress, cook, cashier, car detailer, and translator.

In 1999, an acquaintance of Alma’s offered to give her some extra money if she would help him out. Alma was making $6.50 an hour at the time and desperately needed funds to support her family. From 1999 to early 2001, Alma let the man drop off his cocaine in her home to be picked up by another man. In 2001, Alma refused to continue because she felt she “wasn’t doing right” and moved away from the area.

In 2004, the two men found Alma and pressured her to let them use her residence to store methamphetamine. The men repeatedly contacted Alma and came to her residence, promising her that she would be left alone if she agreed to their demands. Fearful of retaliation, Alma let them store drugs at her residence five times over the course of approximately eight months. After that, Alma removed herself entirely from the conspiracy and refused to help the men despite their continued intimidation.

Almost two years later in June 2006, Alma learned that the Drug Enforcement Agency was investigating the two men for conspiracy. Alma called an agent and voluntarily told him about her role in the crime. She pled guilty. Though she was found to be a minimal participant in the offense by the court, Alma was held accountable for all of the drugs in the conspiracy.

Judge Rodney Webb recognized that Alma had no prior criminal record and had voluntarily left the drug conspiracy many months before. He expressed his deep regret at sentencing Alma to any prison time. Fortunately, Judge Webb was able to depart below the 10-year mandatory minimum to give Alma the safety valve, a protection against mandatory minimums for first-time nonviolent offenders. Alma is now serving 5 years, 10 months in federal prison.

Alma has managed to be extremely productive in prison. She is excelling in academic courses, as well as her job in the kitchen. Alma receives stellar behavior reports and was selected to serve as a companion to prisoners on suicide watch. Alma is also in therapy trying to deal with the atrocities she experienced during the conflict in El Salvador and domestic abuse that occurred in previous relationships. Alma’s relatives, especially her children and grandchildren for whom she was the primary caretaker, have been deeply impacted by her incarceration. Though her children have grown up and still reside in the United States, Alma will be deported to El Salvador upon her release.

Compiled by AP 2/23/09 from PSR, prisoner information, asylum application, profile form, indictment, and defendant’s sentencing memorandum Updated 4/30/09 AP.