The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed a 310-month prison sentence for Juan Antonio Garcia, a former police officer convicted of attempting to produce child pornography and enticing a minor.
The three-judge panel rejected Garcia's appeal in a per curiam opinion filed Jan. 12, 2026, in the case *United States v. Juan Antonio Garcia* (11th Cir. 2026). Garcia had sought to challenge both his sentence and raise claims of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal.
According to court documents, Garcia was a 30-year-old police officer who befriended a 15-year-old boy working part-time on Garcia's food truck. The former officer began texting the victim about sexual topics and requested naked pictures of the minor, court records show.
Garcia also attempted to arrange meetings alone with the victim at the boy's home. In at least one instance, Garcia requested an explicit video from the victim while on duty as a police officer, according to the court opinion.
The case originated in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where Garcia was charged with attempted production of child pornography and attempted enticement of a minor. Garcia pleaded guilty to both charges.
During sentencing proceedings, the presentence investigation report calculated Garcia's base offense level as 32 for an offense involving production of child pornography. The report added six additional levels for specific offense characteristics, though the complete details of these enhancements were not fully outlined in the available portion of the appeals court decision.
The 310-month sentence translates to nearly 26 years in federal prison, reflecting the serious nature of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Federal sentencing guidelines typically impose lengthy prison terms for defendants convicted of child pornography offenses, particularly when the defendant held a position of authority or trust.
On appeal, Garcia challenged his sentence and attempted to raise ineffective assistance of counsel claims. However, the Eleventh Circuit panel, consisting of Circuit Judges Newsom, Grant, and Luck, found no merit in Garcia's arguments after what the court described as "careful review."
The appeals court's decision to handle the case through a per curiam opinion indicates the panel found Garcia's arguments lacked substantial merit. Per curiam opinions are typically used for cases where the legal issues are straightforward or the appellant's claims are clearly without foundation.
The case was designated as "not for publication," meaning it will not appear in bound volumes of federal court decisions, though it remains available through electronic databases. This designation is common for appeals that do not establish new legal precedent or address novel legal questions.
Garcia's case highlights ongoing concerns about child exploitation and the particular betrayal of trust when law enforcement officers commit such crimes. Police officers are held to higher standards due to their positions of authority and their sworn duty to protect the public, including vulnerable populations like children.
The lengthy sentence reflects federal courts' commitment to deterring child exploitation crimes and protecting minors from sexual abuse. Federal prosecutors have increasingly prioritized cases involving the production and distribution of child pornography, recognizing the lasting harm these crimes inflict on young victims.
The Eleventh Circuit's jurisdiction covers Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, and the court frequently handles appeals in federal criminal cases from district courts in those states. The circuit has consistently upheld lengthy sentences in child exploitation cases, recognizing the serious harm these crimes cause to victims and society.
Garcia's conviction on attempted charges rather than completed offenses suggests law enforcement intervention prevented more serious harm to the victim. However, federal law treats attempts to commit these serious offenses with similar gravity to completed crimes, particularly given the vulnerability of child victims.
The case serves as a reminder that law enforcement officers who violate their oath and exploit their positions to harm children will face severe consequences. The nearly 26-year sentence ensures Garcia will spend a significant portion of his life in federal prison, serving as both punishment and deterrent to others who might consider similar crimes.
With his direct appeal now exhausted, Garcia's options for challenging his conviction and sentence are limited. Any future challenges would likely need to be pursued through post-conviction relief procedures, which have stricter requirements and higher standards for success.
The victim in this case, now older, can find some measure of justice in knowing that Garcia will remain incarcerated for decades, unable to harm other children during that time.