Philly officer charged with selling heroin

Jonathan Garcia, 23, on the force for 3 years.
Jonathan Garcia, 23, on the force for 3 years.
By Michael Hinkelman, STAFF WRITER
Posted: June 22, 2012

A 23-year-old Philadelphia police officer was charged Wednesday with selling heroin to a confidential informant working for the FBI.

Jonathan Garcia, a three-year veteran stationed in South Philadelphia's 17th District, was charged with four counts of distribution of heroin and two counts of carrying a firearm during drug trafficking.

Garcia, who was arrested at his home Tuesday night, pleaded not guilty Wednesday at his arraignment before federal Magistrate Judge Timothy Rice. He was being held at the Federal Detention Center in Center City with a bail hearing set for Friday.

Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey will suspend Garcia for 30 days with the intent to dismiss, the Police Department announced Wednesday afternoon.

"He's never been accused of any crime before this. There's no allegation of any violence," said his defense attorney, Scott DiClaudio. "He's not a threat to the community or a flight risk. We're going to seek his release on bail or house arrest."

Garcia allegedly sold bundles of individually wrapped packets of heroin to the informant during April and May, according to the arrest affidavit.

Contact Michael Hinkelman

at 215-854-2656 or hinkelm@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @MHinkelman.

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