Veterinarian Erica Garcia sentenced to 10 months in prison

Erica Garcia, a veterinarian, was sentenced on Monday to 10 months in prison on two misdemeanor charges stemming from the 2020 indictment of more than two dozen individuals connected to Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, according to court records.

Garcia acknowledged in court papers that she administered “adulterated and misbranded drugs” as part of her practice, including to horses trained by Jorge Navarro, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence on two felony counts arising out of the same indictment.

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Garcia entered a guilty plea in August. She will begin serving her sentence in March 2023. Her sentence also included one year of probation.

Prosecutors said in court papers that Garcia participated in a “years-long scheme to administer unnecessary and potentially dangerous drugs to racehorses.” The substances cited by prosecutors included compounded drugs that did not have FDA approval.

All of the initial defendants in the case have entered guilty pleas or been convicted in jury trials.

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