TOPEKA, Kan. — A 27-year-old Topeka man has been sentenced to nearly eight years in prison after being convicted of drug distribution charges in Lyon County, Kansas.
Rafael Munoz Garcia, 27, received a 95-month sentence—equivalent to just under eight years—after pleading no contest to two felony counts of distributing small amounts of methamphetamine, according to court records.
The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, meaning they will be served back-to-back, rather than concurrently.
The sentence was handed down by Judge Laura Miser during a formal hearing this week.
The sentencing follows Garcia’s no-contest plea entered during a previous court appearance in late March 2025.
Additional Charges Dropped
As part of a plea agreement, several other charges were dropped, including:
- Using a communication device to facilitate a felony drug crime
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Interference with law enforcement
- Aggravated child endangerment
The plea deal significantly reduced Garcia’s potential prison exposure by eliminating these additional felony and misdemeanor charges.
Appeal Filed After Sentencing
Despite the plea deal and sentencing, a notice of appeal has already been filed. The appeal challenges:
- The length of the sentence
- A prior judicial denial of a motion for departure, which could have reduced the sentence
- All other adverse rulings and decisions made during the course of the case
The appeal leaves open the possibility that Garcia’s sentence could be reviewed or modified by a higher court, though such outcomes are not guaranteed.
Legal Background and Community Impact
Methamphetamine continues to be one of the most pressing drug-related issues in Kansas, particularly in rural and semi-rural counties like Lyon.
Prosecutors have emphasized the need for firm sentencing in drug cases involving distribution, especially when other aggravating factors—like proximity to children—are present.
While Garcia’s charge of aggravated child endangerment was dropped, its initial inclusion in the case underscores the broader concerns law enforcement faces in drug-related arrests.
Rafael Munoz Garcia now faces nearly a decade behind bars following his conviction for meth distribution in Lyon County.
As the legal process continues with a pending appeal, the case highlights ongoing efforts in Kansas to combat drug trafficking and maintain public safety through the judicial system.