A Chula Vista man who was initially described as a ringleader in a methamphetamine ring was sentenced Jan. 14 to 57 months in federal prison after his sister sent the judge a letter saying his participation “was all at my direction.” Jose Marino Garcia, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in March 2012 and will receive credits of three years and 114 days in prison since his Sept. 22, 2011, arrest.
Garcia’s sister, Julie Muriel Peterson, 39, also of Chula Vista, is awaiting sentencing on March 16 before the same judge, U.S. District Court Judge William Hayes. Peterson also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and could get a 20-year term.
The prosecutor sought a 14-year sentence for Garcia, while his attorney, Michael McCabe, asked for credit for time served, according to court records. Peterson wrote her brother “did not participate in the importation of the drug” and admitted she arranged for it to be smuggled from Mexico. She wrote Garcia “did not have any decision-making authority with respect to the amount of the drug to be delivered.”
“He acted solely at my direction. I am very sorry that I encouraged Mr. Garcia to join the conspiracy, particularly because I took advantage of my lifelong sibling relationship with him for my convenience,” she wrote.
“I am ashamed that I have ruined his young life by getting him involved in my business, particularly given his inexperience,” wrote Peterson.
Both Peterson and Garcia admitted to using a house at 396 Inkopah St. in Chula Vista to store, cut and repackage methamphetamine. They admitted they trafficked in the distribution of 12 pounds of the drug from Mexico.
Garcia and Peterson were among 24 people indicted in what federal authorities dubbed “Operation Jackhammer” in a one-year investigation. Almost all of the other co-defendants have been sentenced, although Miguel Angel Sandoval, 37, of Tijuana, remains a fugitive.
Michael Charles Markowski, 52, of Spring Valley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth and will be sentenced on Jan. 26.
