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Date: 12-08-2022

Case Style:

United States of America v. Ray J. Garcia

Case Number: 4:21-cr-00429

Judge: Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Alameda County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney:




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Description: Oakland, California criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with seven counts involving sexually abusive conduct against three female victims who were serving prison sentences and one count of making false statements to government agents.




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Ray J. Garcia, 55, of Merced, Calif., was initially charged with sexual abuse of an inmate on September 24, 2021. A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on August 23, 2022, charging Garcia with three counts of sexual abuse and four counts of abusive sexual contact against three female inmates. The criminal acts were alleged to have occurred from December 2019 to July 2021. The superseding indictment also charged Garcia with one count of making false statements to a government agency during the investigation of the criminal acts. 

Trial evidence showed that Garcia was employed as an Associate Warden and later as the Warden of the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, Calif. (FCI Dublin), an all-female low security federal correctional institution. All three of the victims were incarcerated and serving their prison sentences at FCI Dublin under the custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority of Garcia when the crimes occurred. 

The jury convicted Garcia of three counts of sexual abuse and one count of sexually abusive contact against an inmate referred to as Victim 1. Trial evidence showed that Garcia’s sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact against Victim 1 began in December 2019 and extended through March 2020. During this time period, Garcia would encounter Victim 1 in and around the prison visitation room, including in an attached bathroom and an inmate changing stall. In these areas, Garcia would engage in sexual contact with Victim 1. 

Garcia was also convicted of two counts of abusive sexual contact with Victim 2, both acts occurring in the time period of January to July 2021. Trial evidence showed that the acts occurred in a warehouse within the prison grounds and also in Victim 2’s prison cell. These areas, generally out of the immediate view of others, were where Garcia would engage in abusive sexual contact with Victim 2. 

The jury also convicted Garcia of abusive sexual contact with Victim 3 during the period of March to September 2020. Garcia engaged in this sexual contact of Victim 3 in the prison’s electrical shop. 

The jury lastly convicted Garcia of making false statements to a government agency on July 22, 2021. On that date, Garcia was interviewed by government law enforcement agents during the investigation of his sexual conduct with inmates. Evidence at trial showed that Garcia falsely claimed he had never asked inmates to be undressed for him and that had he never touched an inmate inappropriately. Trial evidence showed that Garcia had already asked multiple inmates to undress for him and had also touched Victim 1, Victim 2, and Victim 3 all in a sexual manner. 

Garcia was convicted of three counts of sexual abuse of a ward in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2243(b), and each count carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. The jury convicted Garcia of four counts of abusive sexual conduct in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4), and each count carries a maximum term of two years imprisonment. The jury also convicted Garcia of making false statements to a government agency in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2), which carries a maximum sentence of 8 years imprisonment. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

United States District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who presided over the trial, set a sentencing date for March 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. Garcia remains out of custody pending his sentencing hearing. 

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds, DOJ Inspector General Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp made the announcement. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Priedeman and Andrew Paulson, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Leeya Kekona, and Sara Slattery. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DOJ OIG and the FBI. 

18 U.S.C. § 2243(b) - (Sexual Abuse of a Ward
(1s-2s)
18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4) - Abusive Sexual Contact
(3s)
18 U.S.C. § 2243(b) - Sexual Abuse of a Ward
(4s)
18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4) - Abusive Sexual Contact
(5s-7s)
18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) - False Statements To a Government Agency
(8s)

Outcome: 12/08/2022 109  Jury Notes as to Ray J. Garcia. (amg, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/8/2022) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
12/08/2022 110  Transcript of Trial Proceedings, Volume 9, as to Ray J. Garcia held on 12/08/2022, before Judge Gonzalez Rogers. Court Reporter Pamela Batalo Hebel, telephone number 626-688-7509; pamela_batalo-hebel@cand.uscourts.gov. Per General Order No. 59 and Judicial Conference policy, this transcript may be viewed only at the Clerk's Office public terminal or may be purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber until the deadline for the Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Any Notice of Intent to Request Redaction, if required, is due no later than 5 business days from date of this filing. Redaction Request due 12/29/2022. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 1/9/2023. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 3/8/2023. (Related documents(s) 74 , 66 ) (Batalo, Pam) (Filed on 12/8/2022) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
12/08/2022 111  JURY VERDICT as to Ray J. Garcia (1), Guilty on Count(s): 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s and 8s. (jlm, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/8/2022) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
12/08/2022 112  Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers: Jury Trial as to Ray J. Garcia held on 12/8/2022 Court Reporter: Pamela Hebel. (amg, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/8/2022) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
12/08/2022 113  TRIAL SHEET, EXHIBIT and WITNESS LIST (amg, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/8/2022) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
12/08/2022   Set Hearing as to Defendant Ray J. Garcia. Sentencing set for 3/8/2023 02:00 PM in Oakland, Courtroom 1, 4th Floor before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. (amg, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/8/2022) (Entered: 12/08/2022)
12/08/2022 114  ADMITTED EXHIBIT LIST by Ray J. Garcia (amg, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/8/2022) (Entered: 12/08/2022)

Defendant was found guilty on all counts.

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