Felon Charged in Alleged Plot to Help Inmate Escape
ALBUQUERQUE / Thursday, April 16, 2026 – An Albuquerque man has been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses following an FBI investigation into an alleged plan to arm ainmate for an escape from custody.
According to court documents, on February 13, 2025, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at three residences in northwest Albuquerque associated with Crisantos “Ventex” Garcia, 34, a suspected West Side Locos gang member and convicted felon. Garcia allegedly attempted to flee by jumping from a second‑story window, breaking multiple bones before being taken to the hospital, where agents seized his cell phone.
Screenshots of Garcia taken from a music video, titled “Streets”
During the searches, agents recovered more than a dozen firearms, including a Draco‑style pistol and multiple rifles and pistols, thousands of rounds of ammunition, ballistic vests, high‑value vehicles including a Dodge “Hellcat,” and approximately 151 grams of fentanyl pills. Laboratory testing later identified Garcia’s DNA on two of the seized firearms, and a search of his cell phone revealed photographs of firearms and messages discussing rifles, ammunition, and pill sales.
Investigators further allege that Garcia stockpiled firearms, ammunition, cash, and a stolen vehicle to support an escape plan devised by Dakota Briscoe, an Albuquerque man sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for a violent crime spree linked to a 2020 double murder and multiple armed carjackings. According to investigators, Briscoe allegedly directed Garcia to hide a firearm behind an ATM on the second floor of the University of New Mexico Hospital. Additional firearms, cash, and a stolen car were to be staged nearby as part of the escape effort. Investigators believe Briscoe’s plan involved faking a medical emergency during a scheduled court appearance on April 15, 2026, prompting his transfer to the hospital. A letter recovered by investigators further directed others to coordinate by phone to ensure the presence of a vehicle and firearm at the designated location. Agents also learned that Briscoe ultimately intended to flee to Mexico.
Note from Briscoe directing Garcia to make sure he is at designated location with firearm and vehicle to aid in Briscoe’s escape
On April 14, 2026, the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office Desert Hawk Fugitive Task Force executed an arrest warrant for Garcia at a residence in Phoenix. Garcia again attempted to flee from law enforcement by jumping walls, running through buildings, parking lots, and across heavily trafficked streets, all while accompanied by his minor stepson. When agents caught up, Garcia abandoned the child and was subsequently captured.
Garcia is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Garcia faces not less than 10 and up to 40 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office, the U.S. Marshals Services, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Metropolitan Detention Center and Rio Rancho Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
View the Criminal Complaint (Garcia).pdf
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
