Ex-Pima Sheriff’s Deputy Garcia Sentenced to One Year for Attempted Sexual Assault on Colleague

Former Pima County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Garcia received a one-year jail sentence and three years’ probation on Monday for attempted sexual assault against a coworker in 2022. The sentencing follows a two-week trial last December, where the victim, a sheriff’s deputy, testified about the assault during a holiday party at Garcia’s home, after which she became unconscious due to alcohol consumption, according to Arizona Public Media.

Although a jury found Garcia not guilty of sexual assault, he was convicted on lesser charges, including two counts of attempted sexual assault and two counts of sexual abuse. The jury established three aggravating factors: the victim suffered both physical and emotional harm, and Garcia held a position of authority over her.

During a poignant impact statement delivered in court, the victim, whose identity remains protected, expressed the profound effect the assault had on her life, particularly following the deaths of her father and son. She described feeling trapped in her own body and losing her once vibrant personality. “To me, jail sounds like a pale version of the feeling of being trapped that I experience daily since the assault,” she said.

Garcia’s attorney, Louis Fidel, argued for probation without jail time, citing the unique dangers Garcia might face as a former law enforcement officer. He suggested that incarceration could lead to protective custody or isolation for Garcia, which he deemed inappropriate.

“A law enforcement officer, frankly, is unlike other defendants who are faced with jail or incarceration,” Fidel asserted.

In addition to his jail sentence, Garcia will be required to register as a sex offender, complete 200 hours of community service, refrain from contacting the victim, and pay various fines and fees. Superior Court Judge J. Alan Goodwin directed Garcia to be taken into custody immediately, allowing him two days’ credit for time served.

After the sentencing, Fidel announced plans for an appeal; however, he withdrew from representing Garcia and requested the appointment of a public defender for the case. The handling of the situation by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has drawn scrutiny, with allegations that he failed to conduct a thorough investigation. Nanos has, however, denied claims of wrongdoing.

The Pima County Deputy’s Organization, representing approximately half of the department’s deputies, alleged that Nanos promoted a chief involved in the night of the incident to oversee internal affairs, potentially to obscure the allegations. An investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office last September concluded there was no criminal wrongdoing by Nanos but highlighted possible violations of internal policy rules within the department.