BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Brazos County District Clerk Gabriel Garcia was arrested Friday morning following an investigation by the Texas Rangers.
Garcia was booked into the Brazos County Detention Center just before noon Friday on charges of possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1 or 1-B. He is currently being held on a $20,000 bond.
Brazos County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Escue confirmed Friday afternoon that the district attorney’s office had recused itself from the case, which is being handled by special prosecutor Kenda Culpepper from Rockwall County.
County officials first notified local media of the arrest just after 11 a.m., but did not provide additional details. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed the investigation, but said there was no further information available about the charges.
Under Texas law, Penalty Group 1 can include drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, certain opioids, LSD and ketamine, while Penalty Group 1-B is reserved for fentanyl and its analogs. The jail record does not specify the drug involved and officials have not yet released the specific charge details.
The Texas Ranger Division is the primary criminal investigative branch of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The agency says its work can include major criminal and special investigations, including cases involving public corruption, major crimes and other statewide investigations.
“Operations at the District Clerk’s office will not be disrupted,” a release from Brazos County said. “As this is an ongoing investigation, the County is unable to release any other details at this time.”
Garcia just lost the district clerk primary run-off against Brazos County bailiff Wayland Van Nest.
He was previously arrested in 2024 on a domestic violence charge. County attorney Earl Gray later dropped the charges, citing insufficient evidence to prosecute.
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