Former Hendry County deputy, Germain Garcia pled guilty on March 20 to the charge of perjury in an official proceeding. According to the State Attorney’s office, he will be placed on 36 months of probation and will be required to permanently relinquish his certification as a law enforcement officer. He must also pay a $500 fine and agree to testify against Antonia Martinez.

In 2018, Garcia and Hendry County bail bondsman Antonio Martinez were arrested on charges of felony perjury relating to a case they were both involved in in 2017.

The case involved the bondsman allegedly detaining a person he believed committed a crime against the bondsman’s family member. The deputy then responded and took the person into custody.

Both are accused of giving false statements under oath about what actually transpired based on witness testimony and other evidence.