Ex-PCSD Sgt. Ricky Garcia Acquitted of Sexual Assault, Convicted on Two Lesser Charges

A jury has delivered its verdict in the case against former Pima County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Ricardo “Ricky” Garcia. On Friday, the jury acquitted Garcia of sexual assault charges but found him guilty of two counts of attempted sexual assault and two counts of sexual abuse.

The trial, which lasted two weeks, featured testimony from the victim, a subordinate deputy, who recounted the alleged assault at a holiday party at Garcia’s home. She stated that she was intoxicated to the point of unconsciousness during the incident, as reported by Arizona Public Media.

Following closing arguments on Thursday, the jury deliberated on Friday, reaching a verdict just before 4 p.m. Garcia appeared visibly distressed as he listened to the decision, with his attorney providing support.

After the verdict, the jury heard further testimony regarding aggravating circumstances. The victim emotionally reflected on how the assault impacted her career and her relationships with colleagues, noting that she once considered Garcia someone she could trust.

“Deep down inside, I still wanted to be a cop, so I had to be strong for my community,” she stated through tears.

Garcia’s defense argued that the incident occurred in a personal context, outside of their professional duties. However, the jury found that the victim experienced both physical and emotional harm and that Garcia’s position of authority over her was a significant factor in the case.

These aggravating circumstances, while not affecting the convictions themselves, will influence Garcia’s sentencing. He now faces potential penalties of up to 2.5 years in prison for each count of sexual abuse and between 2 to 8.75 years for the attempted sexual assault charges. The judge may also consider probation for any of the counts.

A conviction for attempted sexual assault mandates registration as a sex offender in Arizona, whereas such a requirement for a sexual abuse conviction only applies if the victim is under 18 years of age. Sentencing is scheduled for January 29.

Deputy Santa Cruz County Attorney Mathew Cannon praised the victim’s bravery outside the courthouse. “She had a lot of things to consider and a lot to lose,” he remarked. “She’s a brave voice for women.”

The prosecution was handled by attorneys from Santa Cruz County to sidestep any potential conflict of interest, given the connections of both the victim and the defendant as Pima County employees. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has faced scrutiny over his handling of the case, although he denies any wrongdoing.

The Pima County Deputy’s Organization criticized Nanos, alleging he failed to investigate properly and instead promoted a chief present during the incident to oversee internal affairs, potentially to obscure the actions taken. However, an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office found “zero criminal wrongdoing” concerning Nanos, while indicating potential violations of internal policies.