Missing Court Grants Bonus Charges

By Raul Fernandez

(GERING, Neb.) — Christopher Garcia appeared in person along with his defense council, Stacy Bach, on Wednesday September 24, 2025, to change a plea of Not Guilty to No Contest for the charges of possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine) and driving under suspension. Originally he also had a charge for Possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl) but was dismissed as part of the plea agreement with the state. Judge Miller accepted the change of plea after making sure he understood and agreed to the amended charges. The judge ordered an updated pre-sentencing report before sentencing on November 25th at 9:30 a.m.

During court, it was put into record that according to Officer Soucie, on July 1,2025 Mr. Garcia was observed approaching a white 2012 Dodge pickup that was being observed by an on-duty investigator. Garcia was known to have an active warrant, so SPD conducted a traffic stop and he was arrested for his active warrant. While searching his person, officers found a THC substance, prompting probable cause to search the pickup. The search produced two blue pills marked “M/30”, known to be Fentanyl and a small baggie containing 0.8 grams of suspected Methamphetamine. The baggie was sent to the NSP lab, which returned positive for the drug.

Originally, Garcia had been pulled over in April for driving under a suspended license. He failed to appear for court on April 18, which resulted in a warrant being issued and ultimately led to his arrest in July.