SAN ANTONIO – A Bexar County judge sentenced Francisco Javier Garcia Ventura to 40 years in prison on Wednesday for killing a woman and dumping her body.
Police found 32-year-old Crystal Garcia’s body in September 2021 in a field along York Creek Road near Interstate 35 in Comal County.
A week before, police said Garcia’s mother reported her as missing.
San Antonio police arrested Garcia Ventura moments before he was set to board a bus heading to Mexico City.
Garcia Ventura’s attorney said her client took a plea instead of going to trial to spare his family pain.
“This was going to be a case where we argued self-defense,” defense attorney Monica Guerrero said. “He had a concussion and had visible injuries to his head as a result of her hitting him.”
Garcia’s family said she was a mother of four who was in nursing school.
“You took a piece of us too,” a family member said in court on Wednesday. ”We’re very heartbroken and angry with you for what you did. She doesn’t deserve that.”
Garcia Ventura told the judge he and Garcia were arguing before the fight got physical.
“Then she hit me on my forehead,” he said. “My head whiplashed back, and I just went at her with my fist. It’s the only thing I had to defend myself.”
The judge gave Garcia Ventura credit for time served. Once he’s released from prison, he’ll be deported.