Texas Man Sentenced for Illicit Conduct with Minor

A federal judge has sentenced David Manuel Garcia, 42, to 15 years and eight months in prison for engaging in sexual conduct with a minor in a foreign country. The ruling followed Garcia’s claims that he was the lawful partner of a 12-year-old girl with whom he fathered two children.

Background of the Case

Garcia’s legal troubles began in late 2018 when he sought U.S. citizenship for his son and daughter, born in Mexico. This process required him to file applications for consular reports of births abroad. However, discrepancies arose when the age of the children’s mother, reported as 21 and 23 years old in the applications, conflicted with her actual birth records, which indicated she was only 13 and 15 at the time of giving birth.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Garcia was arrested on December 11, 2018, at the Eagle Pass U.S. port of entry. His legal defense stretched over four years, during which he asserted that his actions were in accordance with the laws of Coahuila, Mexico, claiming that he had established residency there and that the relationship was sanctioned by the girl’s family.

Claims and Counterclaims

Garcia characterized his relationship with the girl as legitimate, depicting himself as a well-known figure in her community and stating that they were a family unit with the consent of the girl’s father. According to court documents, he argued the children were born under the Mexican legal notion of “union libre,” equating to common law marriage.

Victim’s Testimony and Legal Findings

However, the girl eventually reported to authorities in Mexico, alleging physical mistreatment by Garcia. In her statement, she described instances of violence during their relationship, citing numerous occasions where she was physically harmed.

American authorities took a different stance. Prosecution described Garcia’s actions as forced sexual conduct with a minor, resulting in the births of two children. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with efforts coordinated by the U.S. State Department’s Major Case Coordination Unit.

Conclusion

This case underscores the complexities surrounding legal definitions of consent and familial relationships across international borders. The ruling serves as a significant reminder of child protection laws and the seriousness of sexual exploitation.