Marine recruiter gets suspended jail sentence

Wednesday, July 14, 1999 | 12:40 p.m.

Anthony John Garcia, 38, will also serve three years probation and perform 25 hours of community service for his crime. District Court Judge David A. Huff suspended a one year jail sentence and imposed the other sanctions at Garcia's sentencing hearing this week.

Huff also ordered the defendant to obtain a mental evaluation and follow any recommended treatment program.

Garcia admitted to biting a 17-year-old Marine recruit while she was driving his truck from Reno to Fallon on Aug. 9, 1998. He agreed to plead guilty to the gross misdemeanor in exchange for dismissal of an open and gross lewdness charge that was originally filed against him.

Huff said he considered Garcia's 18 years of honorable service to the military and the fact that he has no prior criminal record in giving him probation.

Garcia will be discharged from the Marines this month because of his arrest and conviction, said Lew Carnahan, Garcia's attorney.