A 39-year-old Apopka man who was found guilty of trafficking fentanyl is now facing the possibility of life in prison.
Juan Carlos Garcia was found guilty of conspiracy and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute by a federal jury this week. Garcia had been indicted on February 16, 2022.
According to court records, Garcia conspired with a co-defendant to drive to a gas station in Apopka and sell more than a kilogram of fentanyl for $33,000. Garcia drove the vehicle and brought a loaded handgun with him, while his co-defendant brought the drugs and set up the deal.
In coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Apopka Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, a loaded handgun was recovered from the center console a package of drugs was found in the backseat. The drugs were tested by the DEA and determined to be p-Fluorofentanyl, which is an analogue of fentanyl.
Both defendants were arrested at the time without incident, according to authorities.
Garcia faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and will be sentenced on January 6, 2023.