Federal Agents Thwart New Mexico Prison Break Following High-Stakes Arrest of Gang Member in Phoenix

Federal agents arrest Crisantos Garcia in Phoenix, uncovering a violent plan to break an inmate out of custody using hidden weapons and faked emergencies.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 5:32 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AZFamily

Multi-State FBI Operation Disrupts Violent Escape Conspiracy

Federal authorities have unveiled a chilling conspiracy to liberate a high-risk inmate from federal custody, resulting in a series of arrests and the seizure of a massive arsenal. The investigation centered on Crisantos Garcia, a 34-year-old suspected gang member known as Ventex, who was apprehended by FBI agents in Phoenix this past Tuesday. According to federal prosecutors, Garcia was the primary facilitator for a plot designed to extract Dakota Briscoe, a man currently serving a 25-year sentence for a violent crime spree that included a double homicide in 2020.

Strategic Weapon Caches Discovered in Albuquerque Safe Houses

The scope of the plot became clear after federal agents executed search warrants at three residential properties in northwest Albuquerque linked to Garcia. During these raids, investigators recovered more than a dozen firearms, including a Draco-style pistol and various high-powered rifles, alongside thousands of rounds of ammunition and ballistic vests. According to court documents, DNA evidence found on the weapons and messages retrieved from Garcia's mobile phone detailed the ongoing sale of narcotics and the procurement of specific weaponry intended for the jailbreak attempt.

Hospital Escape Plan Involved Faked Medical Emergencies

Investigators revealed that the planned escape was meticulously choreographed to occur at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Briscoe allegedly instructed Garcia to conceal a firearm behind an ATM on the hospital’s second floor, with additional weapons and a stolen vehicle stationed nearby for a rapid exit. The scheme relied on Briscoe faking a medical crisis during a scheduled court appearance on April 15, 2026, which would necessitate a transfer to the medical facility where the hardware had been staged.